'No plans' to delay poll over flu

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The government has reassured officials over fears next month's local and European elections could be hit by the swine flu outbreak.

The Ministry of Justice sent a note to returning officers stating: "We are monitoring the situation carefully."

There are "no plans" to delay the date and any change would need to be agreed with other European member states.

In 2001 the local elections - and general election - was put back a month because of the foot-and-mouth crisis.

In a note sent to returning officers, the Ministry of Justice says it has received "a number of queries" about the potential impact of the outbreak on the elections.

It says, as part of its general pandemic planning, it is working with other departments and considering "how it could have an impact on the elections as part of that work".

"For the present, we are not advising that any specific steps be taken. However, we are monitoring the situation carefully and we will issue further updates through the regional returning officers network for distribution to electoral administrators," it said.

Contingency plans

It also advises officials to share their contingency plans locally.

A ministry spokesman said: "It is a normal and sensible part of government business to ensure we are prepared for the potential impact of pandemic flu. Public safety is paramount. We are continuing to keep the situation under review.

"There are no current plans to postpone the elections. Any change to European elections would require agreement across Europe."

A spokesman for the Electoral Commission said it was too early to say how bad things would have to be before the elections were delayed.

He told the BBC: "We have been in contact with the MoJ (Ministry of Justice) and returning officers and we are monitoring the situation. In order to postpone the elections legislation would be required and the MoJ would be the ones to make that decision.

"Electoral administrators are expected to have contingency plans in place for identifying and managing risks."

Advice was available on the Electoral Commission website, he added.

On Wednesday the Health Protection Agency confirmed there had been four more cases of swine flu in England - bringing the UK total to 32.

A further 390 suspected cases are under investigation. Five schools have been closed and leaflets have been distributed across the UK stressing the importance of good hygiene in preventing the spread of the disease.