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The Tories used scouts to deliver election leaflets sparking a mass walkout of pack leaders.

A row erupted after Scouts were used to deliver election leaflets for Conservative candidates campaigning for district council seats.

In return for their endeavours the scouts were promised money to rent allotment space to grow vegetables for a soup kitchen.

But the deliveries led to leaders of Marshchapel troop in Lincolnshire quitting, after they breached scout rules - which state the organisation and its members are non-political.

The youngsters have received an apology over the affair.

The leaflets were to promote Conservative candidates Paul Rickett and Daniel McNally.

The pair are campaigning for the East Lindsey District Council elections this Thursday.

(Image: MEN Media)

A spokesman for the Scout Movement said: "We can confirm that a complaint was made to Lincolnshire Scouts about the 1st Marshchapel Scout Group delivering information for a candidates in the upcoming local election.

"Following receipt of this complaint the local volunteer manager spoke with the Group Scout Leader of the Scout Group concerned and it was clear this was a genuine error on behalf of the Group and one they have apologised for.

"In accordance with Scouting’s rules the matter was reported to the Charity Commission by the local volunteer manager.

“Subsequently the Group Scout Leader of the 1st Marshchapel Scout Group submitted his resignation after taking full responsibility for the incident.

“Other volunteers have also since resigned. No volunteers have been asked to leave the Scout Movement because of this incident."

The spokesman from Scout HQ said: "Scouting is a non-political organisation. We can't support any party. Delivering leaflets for a political party breaks our rules."

(Image: MEN Media)

Scout leader, Matt Whall has posted a message on the village Facebook page apologising for the error.

He said: "I have stepped away from involvement with Marshchapel Scouts.Sadly, this is as a result of recent events in our community.

“As you may be aware the Scouts recently distributed leaflets around the area. This was done in exchange for one year rent on an allotment space for the Scouts to grow veggies and learn about all things green, and not for financial gain for the group.

“We hoped to run a soup kitchen for the community using veg grown in the village. The leaflets happened to be for a candidate in the local elections."

He added: "...The Scouts were 100 % safe at all times during this activity.

"I did not ask the Scouts to distribute leaflets for political gain or promotion but did something purely with the motive to provide an enriching opportunity for the Young People in the Group. It was an error on my part.

"As a consequence of this, coupled with a total lack of support for our Leaders from The Scout Association itself and their approach in dealing with the complaint, all the other Leaders have independently decided that they no longer wish to continue in their roles.”

The councillors were approached for comment.