Rt Hon Keith Vaz, a prominent Labour representative has distanced himself from Ukip candidate, Mark Reckless, after it appeared that Vaz had endorsed Reckless' campaign.
It is said that Mark Reckless needs to convert Labour supporters in order to win next month's re-elections.
Keith Vaz appears on an election leaflet for Reckless and is quoted saying, “Mark is one of my closest friends in parliament. You are lucky to have him.” Endorsing a rival party candidate is considered as a breach of Labour party rules.
Vaz states that he had made the comments during a visit to Rochester & Strood, where Mark reckless s standing as chairman of the home affairs select committee. However, Vaz did not give permission for them to quote him. He reveals, “He [Mark Reckless] is a friend but I was not asked if they [the comments] could be used on a leaflet. If asked I would have said no.”
