Row over Lib-Dems' 'misuse' of charities

The Liberal Democrats were plunged into a "dirty tricks" row today after cancer charities complained that their names were being used on a party leaflet without permission.

One side of the leaflet, headlined "March is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month" and sent directly to women voters, carried the names of the three leading charities CancerBACUP, Helene Harris Memorial Trust and Ovacome.

Overleaf, the leaflet then asks for donations of £50, £20 and £10 and includes a petition to be sent to Health Secretary John Reid.

But the three charities have not given their blessing for their names to be linked to the Lib-Dems.

The leaflet was sent out by Lynne Featherstone, the prominent Lib-Dem London Assembly member who will be contesting Hornsey and Wood Green at the general election.