BOLTON’S Labour party has been criticised for sending out thousands of campaign leaflets which break election rules.

But Labour has insisted that a failure to include a necessary imprint — showing the name and address of the leaflet’s publisher — on thousands of leaflets was an honest printing error.

The Local Voice Labour leaflet has been distributed to residents ahead of the Rumworth by-election, which takes place on Thursday.

The leaflet is edited by Labour’s candidate Shamim Abdullah and urges residents to choose her to replace late Cllr Rosa Kay in the seat.

Around 4,000 have been delivered, but they do not show the imprint, which is legally required under the Representation of the People Act.

However, Ms Abdullah and her election agent, fellow Rumworth Councillor Ebrahim Adia said the imprint was included in the final design of the leaflets before they were sent to the printer.

He has sent evidence of this to The Bolton News, which indicates that this is the case.

A joint statement from Ms Abdullah and Cllr Adia said: ”We have been made aware that a leaflet distributed by the Labour Party in the Rumworth Ward does not show the imprint.

“We have investigated this and can confirm that the imprint is actually on the leaflet but because of the design the imprint is not visible in the printed version.

“Our email records of the leaflet clearly show that the imprint does feature on the leaflet.

“The printed leaflet went directly to the distribution company after it was printed so there was no opportunity to check the final printed version.”

Labour said it has now stopped distributing the incorrect leaflets and has printed thousands of newly designed leaflets which clearly show the imprint and will be distributed over the next few days.

This is not the first time Bolton Labour has come under fire for not including the legal publisher’s imprint on its election literature.

In 2007, Crompton Councillor Guy Harkin received a police caution for failing to include the imprint on an election leaflet.

The same offence was committed by Labour in 2009 on an election leaflet which was being used to promote Cllr Harkin, with the party again blaming a printing error.

Regarding the latest incident, Tory leader Cllr David Greenhalgh said: “Although to some people, I’m sure this will seem something and nothing, this is in fact serious.

“It is a legal requirement, and once again, despite their considerable experience, Labour feel they can flaunt the rules, knowing they will probably get a slap on the wrist from the Electoral Commission and carry on regardless. Not good enough.”

UKIP leader Sean Hornby stated: “It is a mistake but it has happened before and as a well established political party, Labour should know better. “I think if we or one of the other parties had done this then they would be jumping all over it.”

Liberal Democrat leader Roger Hayes added: “Technically this is an election offence and can result in prosecution. “I know it is not the worst offence but I think they should have learnt from past mistakes.” It is not thought that the incident has been reported to police. Voting for the Rumworth by-election will take place on Thursday between 7am and 10pm. The seat was made vacant after the death of Cllr Kay in the summer, who had served on the council for 17 years.

Labour’s Ms Abdullah will is facing competition for the seat from Mohammed Waqas (Conservative), Jonathan Baxendale (UKIP), Becky Forrest (Liberal Democrat) and Alan Johnson (Green). Tell us what you think? Contact letters@theboltonnews.co.uk