"This is extremely misleading": Police issue statement as Tory fighting marginal seat campaigns with Labour colours

A Conservative standing for re-election near Greater Manchester has been brought to police attention over 'misleading' campaigning. Robert Largan, who grew up in Whitefield and previously ran for election in Bury South, was elected in 2019 as MP for High Peak - which includes Glossop, New Mills and Buxton.

He is aiming to retain the seat, which he won from Labour with a slim majority of just 590 votes, while he also serves as an assistant whip for the Conservative government. But in campaign material published online yesterday (June 1), he showed different colours to Tory blue.

First, Mr Largan published a new 'Labour for Largan' graphic on Facebook and X, as he invited voters who usually back Labour to join his 'club'. "So many local Labour voters have told me they’re going to vote for me, because they want to keep me as their local MP," he wrote on X.

READ MORE: Kidnapped, brutally murdered in 'military-style operation'... and still missing

"There have been so many that I’m launching a new Labour for Largan club." Mr Largan also shared a link to a new 'Labour for Largan' page on his website, which asks people to write why they are backing him, and give their details.

The posts attracted plenty of criticism online. Commenting on Mr Largan's Facebook post, one person wrote: "This is extremely misleading in a marginal seat. You aren’t a Labour MP."

Another said: "So you’re not labour then... stop confusing vulnerable people." Meanwhile on X, broadcaster Carol Vorderman tweeted that Mr Largan was 'a desperate Tory' who was now trying 'pathetically to distance' himself from the party.

One X user sparked a reaction from Mr Largan after posting: "Totally pathetic... have you got a Reform for Largan one too?" The former MP