A TORY MP has been forced to pulp a campaign leaflet following a row with a domestic abuse charity.
In a pamphlet posted through the doors of voters in Stirling, Stephen Kerr was praised by Asma Hussain of Shakti Women’s Aid for being “honest” and “totally trustworthy and approachable”.
She also praised his “support to help empower women”, adding that he had “proven time and time again to be an invaluable asset in our community, making a real difference to survivors of domestic abuse”.
On the Tory leaflet, Hussain then urges voters to support Kerr.
But her employers have demanded the leaflet be withdrawn from circulation, saying that the “information published was done so without Shakti’s knowledge or consent”.
The charity, which provides support for black minority ethnic women, children and young people who are experiencing, or who have experienced, domestic abuse, does not support any political party.
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Dr Agomoni Ganguli-Mitra, the chair of Shakti’s board of directors, told The National that the statement “was based on a miscommunication and was reproduced without Shakti’s consent”.
They have asked Kerr to “withdraw all relevant material from circulation and acknowledge they have done so in writing”.
A Scottish Tory spokesman said the party had followed “all rules on campaign literature and had full consent from those on the leaflet”.
He added: “Shakti Women’s Aid are a non-political organisation and Ms Hussain gave her endorsement as a private citizen.”
The spokesman said that the leaflet would not be being reprinted and would not be going through any more doors.
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Earlier this year, Shakti co-signed a letter describing the UK Government’s two-child limit, known as the rape clause, as “one of the most damaging pieces of welfare reform, directly harming children and young people”.
They said it forces parents “to make the heart-breaking choice between feeding their children, heating their home or falling into poverty” and that it “discriminates against a number of different groups, including children, children with multiple siblings, large families, and those with a religious or moral objection to the use of birth control”.
Kerr has a majority of just 148 votes and Stirling is set to become one of the biggest battles at the next General Election, which could be just 43 or 46 days away, depending on which date is selected.
The Tory is no fan of a Christmas election. Last week he told the BBC: “I really would have doubts about a December election.”
He added: “We have tried the patience of people so much this year as a political group at Westminster, to put a General Election into the Christmas month I think would be a push too far.”
Kerr’s SNP rival in the constituency, Alyn Smith, told The National: “It’s obvious from my time out and about that the Tories are losing their support hand over fist.
“With Ruth Davidson’s moonlighting, Jacob Rees-Mogg reclining on the green benches and Boris Johnson’s regular charlatan antics, it’s obvious they’re on the run.”
Meanwhile, the Scottish Greens have announced they too will contest the seat, with Alloa local Bryan Quinn named as the candidate.
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