The Gravesham Labour Party has been accused of hypocrisy for having leaflets about “tackling immigration” reportedly delivered by Bulgarian workers who do not speak English.

The heading of the Labour newsletter is “Controlling our borders” and includes a list of Labour’s five proposals for ensuring “the system is fair for everyone” - however a Labour has dismissed the criticism as "diversionary tactics".

The proposals in the leaflet include introducing tougher border checks, making it a criminal offence to exploit workers and introducing laws to prevent recruitment agencies hiring only from abroad.

The newsletter says: “The Labour Party is the only political party with proposals to stop local workers and responsibly businesses being undercut by unfair exploitation of immigrants.”

Conservative Councillor Bryan Sweetland called the News Shopper after speaking to a man distributing the newsletters in his area.

News Shopper: Kent County Councillor Bryan Sweetland

Mr Sweetland said: “I spoke to a young man on Wednesday morning (Feb 25), there were two of them delivering leaflets at Istead Rise at 7am.

“There have been a number of burglaries here lately and I asked them what they were doing.

“They did not speak English but managed to give me the name of the man they worked for ‘Vasko’ and his phone number.

"I think Coun Dhesi has a lot of explaining to do."

When typed into an online search engine, the number comes up with a link to a Bulgarian website.

It says: “We work for a serious company with experience in the distribution of leafleting/ brochures.

“Areas of work are South London and Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire and Kent.

“We will give you a permanent, 7 days a week year round (job) and will pay regularly.”

Gravesham Labour's response

News Shopper: Cllr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi hopes to be Labour's victorious candidate in 2015.

Gravesham Council's lead member, business and the community Councillor Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi said: "The majority of our Labour leaflets are delivered by local party members, volunteers and supporters.

"However we do use Royal Mail and other local, reputable delivery companies when we can’t deliver all the leaflets by ourselves.

"All the companies we use comply with employer legislation and are all above board.

"I think it’s ironic they’re saying this because the same companies we use, the Tories and UKIP also use these companies, probably more than we do."

Coun Dhesi believes the Conservatives are trying to distract constituents from bigger issues.

He said: "Basically I think they are trying to divert attention we are talking about what is in the leaflet.

"We’re merely addressing the concerns of local residents and that’s where the debate should be.

"Whoever is delivering it, we don’t ask the race, or gender is – it’s a bit of a diversionary question of the Tories I think.

"They should be concentrating on the matters at hand, the elections coming up, rather than who is delivering leaflets on the street.

"We're always confident that anyone we use is local and compliant with the legislation." 

What do you think? Comment below or email hwood@london.newsquest.co.uk