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Tory threat over Lib Dem claims Tory threat over Lib Dem claims
(about 2 hours later)
The Conservatives are threatening legal action against the Lib Dems over a leaflet in the Henley by-election.The Conservatives are threatening legal action against the Lib Dems over a leaflet in the Henley by-election.
They have written to the Lib Dems over allegations concerning a local community hospital, which they say their candidate has always supported.They have written to the Lib Dems over allegations concerning a local community hospital, which they say their candidate has always supported.
Unless the Lib Dems withdraw a leaflet and remove claims from their website, the Tories say they will sue. The party has instructed its solicitors to "pursue the matter legally" but a writ has yet to be issued.
A Lib Dem spokesman said they would not be withdrawing the comments, adding: "We feel we are on firm ground".A Lib Dem spokesman said they would not be withdrawing the comments, adding: "We feel we are on firm ground".
The row centres around a campaign to save Townlands community hospital, in Henley.The row centres around a campaign to save Townlands community hospital, in Henley.
The Tories are understood to be angry about claims in a Lib Dem leaflet that Tory candidate John Howell watched the campaign "from the sidelines," when they say he was involved in it. The Tories are angry about claims in a Lib Dem leaflet that Tory candidate John Howell watched the campaign "from the sidelines," when they say he was involved in it.
Running scared
On his website, Lib Dem candidate Stephen Kearney quotes hospital campaigners denying any contribution into the campaign by Mr Howell "despite Conservative leaflets claiming otherwise".On his website, Lib Dem candidate Stephen Kearney quotes hospital campaigners denying any contribution into the campaign by Mr Howell "despite Conservative leaflets claiming otherwise".
The 26 June by-election was called when Conservative Boris Johnson stood down as Henley MP after being elected London mayor. The Conservatives had earlier threatened to take legal action if they had not received a retraction by mid-day but a Tory spokesman said it was now unlikely to happen on Friday.
'Appalling' Liberal Democrat Chief Executive Lord Rennard said: "In relation to the Henley Townlands hospital campaign, we have merely repeated claims by the independent hospital campaigners that they were unaware of any support from the Conservative Party candidate," he said.
In a separate development, the Conservatives are also taking legal advice over a Lib Dem leaflet they say implies the Lib Dem candidate is backed by Mr Johnson.
In interviews with BBC Radio Berkshire, Conservative leader David Cameron said: "We have tried to put a stop to this because it's absolutely appalling.
"Boris Johnson backs John Howell 100% and this campaign by the Liberals is quite appalling."
Mr Johnson has written to Lib Dem campaigns chief Lord Rennard demanding the View magazine leaflet be withdrawn.
Mr Johnson is angry over a 'picture byline'
He wrote: "My attention has been drawn to your shameful leaflet masquerading as some sort of independent Oxfordshire magazine.
"I ask that you immediately withdraw it since, on the back page, you have what purports to be a picture by-line opinion piece from me giving my assessment of the candidates in the Henley by-election.
"This is simply a shameful exercise in misrepresentation."
'Running scared'
But Liberal Democrat Chief Executive Lord Rennard said the criticism about the leaflet was "odd" as he said the Conservatives had posted a similar publication two weeks ago - and said it was an insult to voters to suggest they had been misled by the format.
"In relation to the Henley Townlands hospital campaign, we have merely repeated claims by the independent hospital campaigners that they were unaware of any support from the Conservative Party candidate," he said.
He added: "The Conservatives seem to be running scared in what used to be a very safe Conservative seat."He added: "The Conservatives seem to be running scared in what used to be a very safe Conservative seat."
County councillor John Howell will be the Tory candidate in the Oxfordshire constituency where Mr Johnson had a 12,793 majority in 2005. A Conservative spokesman confirmed that legal action was now focused on the controversy surrounding the community hospital, rather than a separate row about the use of an image of the outgoing MP Boris Johnson on a party leaflet.
The 26 June by-election was called when Conservative Boris Johnson stood down as Henley MP after being elected London mayor.
Mr Johnson won the seat with a 12,793 majority in 2005.
The list of candidates nominated, according to the returning officer, are:The list of candidates nominated, according to the returning officer, are:
    • Chris Adams, UK Independence Party
    • Derek Allpass, English Democrats
    • Louise Cole - Independent (Miss Great Britain Party)
    • Amanda Harrington - Independent (Miss Great Britain Party)
    • John Howell - Conservatives
    • Stephen Kearney - Liberal Democrats
    • Richard McKenzie - Labour
    • Bananaman Owen - Monster Raving Loony Party
    • Timothy Rait - British National Party
    • Dick Rodgers - The Common Good
    • Mark Stevenson - Greens
    • Harry Bear, The Fur Play Party
    • Chris Adams, UK Independence Party
    • Derek Allpass, English Democrats
    • Louise Cole - Independent (Miss Great Britain Party)
    • Amanda Harrington - Independent (Miss Great Britain Party)
    • John Howell - Conservatives
    • Stephen Kearney - Liberal Democrats
    • Richard McKenzie - Labour
    • Bananaman Owen - Monster Raving Loony Party
    • Timothy Rait - British National Party
    • Dick Rodgers - The Common Good
    • Mark Stevenson - Greens
    • Harry Bear, The Fur Play Party