By-election battle turns bitter after campaign sign removal

Green Party activists have allegedly been reported to the police after reports state they were removing a Labour Party campaign sign from a constituents garden.

Activists, who appeared to be carrying Green Party leaflets, were filmed taking the Labour sign and walking away with it. The incident is believed to have been reported to Greater Manchester Police.

Responding to the allegations, a Green Party spokesperson said: “This story is nonsense. The tenant asked a Green canvasser to remove a Labour poster board the landlord had put up without the tenant’s consent, which is illegal under electoral law. Unsurprisingly, Labour is siding with landlords over tenant's rights again.”

Labour strongly rejected that account. Andrew Western MP, Labour’s campaign lead in Gorton and Denton, said: “This is just the latest in the Green Party’s appalling dirty tricks campaign.

“First, Zack Polanski was caught red-handed using completely misleading leaflets. Now, it looks like his activists have joined Reform in breaking the law. Even Green members have privately sounded the alarm on their ‘dodgy’ campaign.

“These backhanded tactics expose what they’ve known all along - only Labour can beat Reform in Gorton and Denton. A vote for anyone else will risk letting in Matthew Goodwin and his toxic politics.”

The by-election, which takes place on February 26, is shaping up to be a tight contest. Recent polling suggests Green Party candidate Hannah Spencer and Reform UK candidate Matt Goodwin are among the frontrunners. Other surveys indicate that Labour’s candidate, Angeliki Stogia, is in second place.

Police have previously warned that members of the public who vandalise or steal political signs during an election campaign may be liable for criminal damage or theft offences.

The by-election was triggered by the resignation of former Labour MP Andrew Gwynne. Mr Gwynne stepped down after abusive WhatsApp messages he had sent were leaked while he was facing disciplinary action. He said he was standing down for health reasons.

A Reform UK spokesman said: “The Green Party should apologise for these dodgy and dishonest tactics. Only Reform can beat Labour in this election.”

Greater Manchester Police has been approached for comment.