Bedford’s Liberal Democrats have apologised unreservedly over an isolated incident which occurred last weekend during the ten days of national mourning following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The day before Her Majesty’s funeral (18 September) Liberal Democrat campaigning leaflets were delivered to a property on Rutland Road in Greyfriars ward.
The resident contacted the Bedford Independent after receiving the personally addressed, hand-delivered leaflets – one of which referred to Mayor Dave Hodgson, and one referring to the Mayor and councillor Henry Vann.
“I find it disrespectful and astonishing behaviour considering only last week the Mayor was fulfilling a number of functions as regards the Queen’s period of mourning, including the proclamation, and signing the memorial book in the Harpur Suite to name but a few,” said the resident, who wished to remain anonymous.
“Do I take it that the Mayor is happy to display blatant double standards by allowing political campaigning letters and leaflets to be delivered on his behalf during a period of mourning?”
After being contacted by the Bedford Independent, the Liberal Democrat group did not hesitate to offer their apologies.
“Campaigning was immediately suspended during the period of mourning and all campaigners were informed of this,” said a Liberal Democrat spokesperson.
“No Liberal Democrat volunteer was authorised to deliver any literature during this important period of mourning for Her Majesty.
“We unreservedly apologise for this isolated incident when our rules were not followed by one activist.”
