Tory candidate arrested over ‘hate campaign’ towards Liberal Democrats

A Tory parliamentary candidate has been arrested in connection with a campaign of harassment against supporters of a rival party.

Ian Oakley, 31, a former regulator at the Financial Services Authority, has been
bailed as police investigate three years of poison pen letters and acts of vandalism against Liberal Democrat members and supporters.

Mr Oakley, whose Facebook profile lists the party’s work and pensions spokesman Chris Grayling as one of his friends, has now resigned as candidate for Watford, Hertfordshire.

It is the latest embarrassment for David Cameron, following the resignation of deputy mayor of London Ray Lewis over allegations of financial impropriety.

Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Major Crime Task force launched an investigation after a series of letters were sent to Liberal Democrat supporters making ‘unfounded and
malicious claims’ about local councillor Mark Watkin.

Anonymous leaflets were also circulated alleging that a number of Liberal Democrat councillors were convicted sex offenders. A fake leaflet claiming to be from the Lib Dems also wrongly informed voters that a new mosque was to be built in the area besides an existing one.

Lib Dem supporters complained of more than 100 acts of vandalism to property
and vehicles, including car tyres being slashed.

Senior members of the party also allegedly received pornographic literature through
the post and anonymous phone calls through the night.

Sal Brinton, the Lib Dem Parliamentary candidate for Watford, said last night: ‘Over
the past three and a half years the Liberal Democrats in Watford have been the victim of a sustained campaign of intimidation, vandalism and hate crimes.’

A Tory spokesman said: ‘Ian Oakley is currently on bail following questioning about
three offences. As it is now part of a police inquiry it would be inappropriate to comment further.’