The Metropolitan Police have told the Liberal Democrats in the midst of a local election to stop using campaign material in breach of guidelines. A week into the upcoming West Hampstead by-election race, Camden ’s Liberal Democrats found themselves being instructed by the Met to halt their use of leaflets which featured their candidate, Janet Grauberg, sat with a police community support officer (PCSO) in a church.
Using photographs of police with political candidates in the run up to elections is discouraged by the service as it could lead to “questions about impartiality”. A spokesperson for the Met told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) the borough’s Chief Inspector for Neighbourhood Policing had contacted the party’s agent on August 7 as soon as they became aware of the leaflet.
They said the PCSO had “no ill intention” and did not know the photograph, which was “taken at a regular contact point” between police and the public, was going to be used in a political campaign. The Met was using guidance issued by National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC) which warns against using images, film or recordings featuring candidates for public office and officers during a pre-election period, or ‘purdah’.
The NPCC guidance adds: “Any police officer or staff member must be asked if he/she is content to be photographed or filmed and has the right to refuse.” In 2019, the Labour Party apologised to Norfolk Police for using an image of its Chief Constable on an election leaflet without his permission.
No laws were broken, party says
Mr Keith Moffitt, the Liberal Democrat’s agent in Hampstead and Highgate legally responsible for the flyer, said the picture was taken “some time before the election was called”. He told the LDRS there was a misunderstanding about whether the officer had given permission for the photo to be used, which was for a piece “illustrating local crime issues in the area”, including the closure of a police counter in Kentish Town.
Mr Moffitt maintained that the use of the photo was not breaking election law but had gone against the police’s guidance “for their own officers”. He added that his had asked the CI to convey the party’s apologies to the PCSO concerned and for any embarassment caused.
The agent confirmed to the LDRS that he had complied with the CI’s request to remove the photo from any future campaign material. However, the LDRS pointed out to him that a digital version of the leaflet was still featured on the local party’s website, almost a week after the police first contacted the party.
Mr Moffitt afterwards said this had been removed and he had confirmed this to the CI. Its remaining on the site was “a bit of a grey area”, he said.
The Lib Dems officially picked Ms Grauberg to fight for the ward seat in West Hampstead, after the sudden resignation of Conservative councillor last month. Mr Shiva Tiwari quit the council after footage emerged showing him appearing to swear at and push shop staff who had refused him his parcel because he didn’t have photo ID.
The West Hampstead by-election is scheduled for Thursday 28 August. A full list of candidates can be found here.
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