Exploit No 10, Blears tells candidates

LABOUR faced a new sleaze row today after a Cabinet minister urged election candidates to use Downing Street to promote themselves.

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears was accused of an abuse of power after she told Labour prospective parliamentary candidates that they, but not sitting Opposition MPs, could take constituents to No10.

Conservatives called on Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell to launch an inquiry. Tory party chairman Eric Pickles said: "Labour shouldn't be exploiting their privileged position."

The ministerial code states that ministers "must not use government resources for party political purposes" and government property should not "be used for constituency work".

Ms Blears told Labour candidates in a briefing in Parliament organised by think tank Progress: "Use Labour's incumbency to your advantage. You may not be the MP, but can the MP get in to see ministers to present petitions? Or take constituents to Downing Street? They can't and you can." Her spokesman today said: "Hazel will refute any allegations of impropriety. The fact is if you are in the government party, you get to go to places of government."