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SCOTLAND'S only Conservative MP has been caught putting out election leaflets which leave out one important fact – he’s a Tory.

David Mundell has been branded devious and disrespectful by constituents for failing to mention the T-word.

Constituent John Hodgman says he thought Mundell was standing for the SNP after reading the leaflet which was delivered last week.

Retired John, 67, said: “The words Conservative or Tory don’t appear in his campaign leaflet at all.

(Image: Jim McEwan)

“There is no reference to Mundell being a member of the Westminster government and not a single line about its record nor policies.”

John, from Moniaive in Mundell’s Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale seat, told our sister paper the Dumfries & Galloway Standard: “The leaflet is devious and disrespectful. Many folk are not aware of who’s who in what party. I came back to Scotland less than five months ago after nearly 40 years away and had no idea who the local MP was.

poll loading Why do you think David Mundell left all mention of the Tories from his election leaflets? 0+ VOTES SO FAR The local people know what party he represents and so there was no need to. He's embarrassed to be a Tory. He's worried the Tories recent record in government will cost him votes.

“This type of trickery will also confuse some of the youngsters getting the vote for the first time.

“On the reverse of David Mundell’s plea to re-elect him, there are 13 snapshots of local people giving him favourable quotes.

“Again, no one admits to being a Conservative. Despite hundreds of words, there’s not one about Mundell’s political masters in London.”

Labour’s Archie Dryburgh, is standing against Mundell in the general election on May 7.

He said: “It’s no wonder Mundell is ashamed to put his party’s emblem on his election leaflets given their record.”

Mundell’s spokesman said: “This particular leaflet highlights David’s strong track record of action as a hardworking local MP and the support he enjoys from local people across the political divide.

“Having represented the people of Dumfriesshire for 15 years, been a very prominent member of the No Campaign in the referendum, frequently spoken for the UK Government in Parliament and in Scotland and more than ever the subject of continuous national media focus as the only Conservative MP in Scotland, it does seem unlikely that local voters could be in any doubt as to his party affiliation.”

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