Local party votes to censure MP Kate Hoey

Members of two Vauxhall Labour party branches have called for their MP Kate Hoey to withdraw her criticism of one of their campaign leaflets used during the local elections last month.

The row between local members and their MP began when Hoey called one of their leaflets a “work of fiction”. Under the headline ‘Kate Hoey is backing Clapham Labour’, the leaflet indicated, amongst other things, that Hoey supported local Labour councillor Nigel Haselden. 

 Hoey however claimed that the statements were falsely credited to her. She told the Evening Standard:

“I value honesty and integrity. I did not write these words and do not agree with them. The quote attributed to me was not approved and is a total work of fiction. I asked for the leaflets to be withdrawn as soon as I found out.

I think that the public have a right to know when something goes into an election leaflet that is not accurate and I would have expected to be asked, rather than having quotes made up on my behalf.”

But members of the branches in Vauxhall are unhappy with Hoey’s comments; this week they have passed motions demanding that she explain what she has said. But it remains to be seen whether she will do so.