Labour has reported fake election leaflets in the Batley & Spen by-election to the police in the belief that someone is attempting to smear the party's candidate in the contest to replace the late MP Jo Cox.



The leaflets, which use a crude copy of the style used by the pro-EU Stronger In campaign during the EU referendum, ostensibly appear to be in support of Batley & Spen Labour candidate Tracy Brabin.

A Labour spokesperson confirmed to BuzzFeed News that the leaflets had been pushed through doors in the town of Cleckheaton early on Monday morning. It is a criminal offence to distribute election material without an accurate imprint setting out who is responsible for its content.



Former Stronger In staff confirmed they were not responsible for the leaflets, which say: "Stronger IN have an excellent Remain candidate Tracy Brabin who is standing for Labour and who will do everything she can in parliament to try to overturn and derail the disastrous referendum election result."

Labour believes the leaflet is an attempt to smear its candidate by emphasising her pro-EU stance. Voters in the Batley & Spen local council area voted Leave in the referendum and anti-immigration parties have previously done well in the area.