UKIP have found themselves at the centre of yet another election race row - this time in Oldham.

The anti-EU party has been reported to both the police and the Electoral Commission over a leaflet being distributed around much of the borough.

Its pamphlet - which Labour is blaming on Joe Fitzpatrick, one-time agent to shamed former MP Phil Woolas, but now a UKIP activist and candidate - appears to warn that Asian candidates are intent on rigging the poll.

It also suggests that the town hall solicitor is prepared to turn a blind eye to fraudulent ballot papers.

Among its tongue-in-cheek suggestions on 'how to win an election' are to 'count on the white folk not voting', as well as to 'steal postal votes'.

Oldham's Labour council leader has slammed the leaflet as 'gutter politics' designed to stir up racial division.

Jim McMahon - who is also named specifically on the pamphlet - said: "It is intended to create racial divisions in the town and tarnish the reputation of honest and hardworking public officials.

"UKIP nationally need to condemn this kind of campaigning because it brings the whole democratic process into disrepute.

"If they had any morals they would expel the candidates and agents involved.”

Oldham council's returning officer has now reported the party and Mr Fitzpatrick - who they say is behind the leaflet - to both the Electoral Commission and the police, Mr McMahon confirmed.

The storm has significance both due to its location - Oldham has a history of racial tension and has long been a key UKIP target - and the individuals involved.

Labour veteran Mr Fitzpatrick - who at one time served as a councillor in Lees - dramatically defected to UKIP a few weeks ago in the wake of an internal party row.

He is now standing for UKIP in the Oldham ward of St James.

But he has also been in the headlines before, as agent to then-Oldham and Saddleworth East MP Mr Woolas.

Mr Woolas was convicted following the last general election of lying on an leaflet about his Lib Dem opponent, including suggesting that he had courted Muslim extremists.

An email from Mr Fitzpatrick about his proposed election strategy for Mr Woolas was later discovered to have said at the time: "If we don't get the white folk angry, he's gone."

Neither UKIP nor Mr Fitzpatrick have yet responded to the MEN's requests for comment.

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