Labour's by-election candidate Afzal Khan MEP has been accused of taking victory in Gorton ‘for granted’ - after putting his flat in Brussels up for rent almost a month before the election takes place.

Mr Khan, currently a sitting MEP representing the north west, sent an email around all other MEPs this afternoon offering up a 'wonderful studio’ in the district of Ixelles - ‘ten minutes walk from the European Parliament’ - from May 1, with the added option of buying his furniture.

The Gorton by-election does not take place until May 4, prompting his Liberal Democrat challengers to claim he was assuming a win in the Manchester seat, which is currently held by Labour.

Mr Khan, who it is understood does not own the flat, declined to comment but Labour sources said he had already moved three times since becoming a MEP and claimed the latest move had always been planned.

(Image: Manchester Evening News)

However a spokesman for the Liberal Democrats, whose candidate Jackie Pearcey is hoping for a big swing towards her party in the by-election, said: “This shows just how much Labour are taking people in Manchester’s votes for granted.

“This election is chance to send a clear message to Labour that they need to stop ignoring people’s concerns and sort their act out as an opposition.

“Jackie Pearcey served as a councillor in Manchester Gorton for over 20 years, she will be the strong local champion this area needs.”

The flat comes unfurnished for 710 Euros a month, plus 60 Euros for water and communal charges, according to Mr Khan’s email, which adds that its tenant is ‘happy to sell out his furniture cheaply’.

It's described as being ‘on the third floor of a modern building, with a garden view’, and as having been fully renovated in 2015. It features a terrace and a cellar and is available to rent on a one-year lease.

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Other MEPs interested in letting it are asked to email Mr Khan or ring his office, for viewings on working days only.

Meanwhile, the Lib Dems also attacked Mr Khan on his voting record in the European Parliament, where he has been an MEP since 2014.

Yesterday MEPs voted on a resolution regarding their ‘red lines’ for Brexit negotiations, but Mr Khan was not there - or for more than 200 votes since the start of March.

The Lib Dems said he was "failing to stand up for his constituents against a hard Brexit", while "pocketing his MEP salary" of £84,000 a year.

A Labour spokesman said Mr Khan had a 97 per cent attendance record in Brussels, but that there had been a particularly large number of votes over the last few weeks when Mr Khan had been preparing his by-election campaign.