Reform facing investigation over illegal fly-posting in Moor Park

One of the fly-posts which has appeared in Moor Park Pic: Blog Preston

A Reform candidate is facing investigation over fly-posting and stickering that’s taken place over a grade-II listed city park.

Preston City Council confirmed it had received complaints over the stickers which relate to the upcoming local elections.

Although the elections are for Lancashire County Council and the Preston East division, it is the city council who act as the returning officer overseeing conduct in the election campaign.

Moor Park, which is due to undergo and major renovation project, has seen the posters and stickers plastered across bins and other street furniture in the park in support of Reform candidate Luke Parker.

The stickers appeared ahead of Preston North End’s Tuesday evening home game against Cardiff City – and a number of them have already been scratched off or removed.

The fly-posting for Reform on bins in Moor Park Pic: Blog Preston

Chief executive of the city council and deputy returning officer Adrian Phillips said: “We are aware of a number of election posters that have been placed across Moor Park and surrounding areas. Election candidates, agents or parties are not permitted to put posters or promotional materials on public property or any other property without the consent of the land/property owner.

“Preston City Council’s Elections Team are seeking to contact the candidate’s agent to resolve the issue.”

Fly-posting is listed as a criminal offence which can be dealt with by either a fixed penalty notice of £150 or by referring it to the police where if it goes to court a magistrates can impose fines.

Blog Preston asked the city council whether the matter was being referred to the police or dealt with by a fixed penalty or other means – but received no response.

Lancashire County Council said the matter was being dealt with by the deputy returning officer within the city council.

Chairman for Reform in Preston, Scott Pye, said: “I was made aware of the leaflets being posted on council property this afternoon by electoral services.

“Myself and Luke have spoken to our activists and identified who was responsible. The activist had some spare leaflets after their delivery and was not aware that posting them on public land was a not allowed . We have told them that this should not continue.”

Other candidates standing in the Preston Central East seat as part of the local elections are: Edward Craven (Lib Dem), Geoffrey Fielden (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition), Anna Hindle (Labour), John Ross (Green) and Keith Sedgewick (Conservative). The local election for Lancashire County Council takes place on Thursday 1 May, see all the candidates standing across Preston and South Ribble.

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