Labour accused of phone call tricks

The Labour Party is embroiled in a new dirty tricks row over claims it may be making illegal phone calls to secure votes in marginal seats.

An official watchdog is investigating Labour over possible misuse of the telephone network, the Evening Standard can reveal. The inquiry concerns the use of thousands of automated phone calls to voters over the past month.

Such calls are legal if they are used only to gather information. But they are banned under European Union law if they are used to sell or promote a product - or a political party. Breaking the law can attract a ?5,000 fine.

The tactic of automated calling, widely used in the US presidential election campaign, is seen as a cheap way of targeting as many voters as possible.

Complaints from residents in areas as diverse as Watford, Cornwall and Yorkshire have been lodged with the Information-Commissioner, who protects personal-privacy. Watford student Russell Eagling, 27, told how he got a call this month from a "robotic" voice saying it was phoning from Labour, adding: "We would like a few minutes of your time."

It asked Mr Eagling about his voting intentions, enabling him to answer by pressing buttons on his phone. Liberal Democrat supporter Mr Eagling replied "Labour" to see what would happen. Two weeks later he got a letter and postal voting form from Watford's Labour MP Claire Ward, who has a 5,555 majority.

The letter stated: "If you have no desire to see the Tories win there is one thing you can do ... I'm enclosing a form for you to vote by post. It's a certain way of making sure your vote counts." Mr Eagling said: "It strikes me they are breaking the rules. I am confident I received this letter as a result of the phone call."

The Lib-Dems have complained to the Information Commissioner. Today Matthew Taylor MP, chairman of the Parliamentary Liberal Democrats, said: "Labour is acting no better than a crooked double-glazing salesman. This seems yet another dirty trick."

A spokeswoman for the Information Commissioner confirmed a number of complaints were being investigated.

A Labour spokesman said the calls were for polling purposes only. "We've had legal advice that everything we do is well within the law," he said. He admitted some calls were followed up with letters but only if recipients indicated they wanted to be contacted.

The party is already accused of infiltrating a private Tory meeting and taping Tory deputy chairman Howard Flight, leading to his sacking.