LABOUR has apologised for including a false endorsement from a charity on a campaigning leaflet sent to homes across Leeds North West.

The leaflet had incorrectly claimed that Parliamentary candidate Alex Sobel’s bid to become MP was being backed by the charity director of Kidz in Kampz, Madge Davey.

The Leeds North West Labour Party has now publicly apologised for the error.

It is the second apology it has had to make in the space of weeks, after making an incorrect claim in an earlier leaflet about Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate Greg Mulholland’s voting record.

A statement posted on the local Labour Party website reads: “In a recent Labour Party election communication, under the heading Why We Are Backing Alex Sobel, we included a statement purporting to come from Madge Davey of Kidz in Kampz.

“Madge did not say this.

“We wish to make clear that the statement was in error and that Madge Davey had nothing to do with either the wording or the inclusion of the paragraph.

“Kidz in Kampz is a charity and does not support any political party. We apologise for the confusion caused, which is entirely our fault.”

Mr Mulholland branded the episode as “shameful”. He said: “This disgraceful behaviour could have put fantastic local charity Kidz in Kampz at risk due to the breach of charity rules, which is just appalling.”

He went on to claim that the mistake could constitute “a breach of electoral law”, and said he had lodged complaints with several key authorities.

A spokesman for Leeds North West Labour Party said: “We have apologised for our error. With two weeks to go until the most important election in a generation, people in Leeds North West want to be hearing from candidates how they will stand up for our area, protect our NHS and tackle the cost of living crisis.”