Tory Spinning Branded As 'Feeble' By Independent Watchdog

9.21.35pm GMT Tue 7th Nov 2006

Impartial, empirical, reliable and dispassionate, Channel 4 FactCheck scrutinises the claims and counter claims of those in the public eye.

West Worcestershire's Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate, Richard Burt, has challenged his Tory opponent to withdraw a misleading press release, saying that an independent watchdog has branded the claims as "feeble" and "a misrepresentation of Lib Dem policy".

Richard Burt said: "Harriet Baldwin says the Liberal Democrats plan to introduce a new house price tax that would cost an average £2,000 per household in Malvern Hills district, but this just isn't true.

"She is simply parroting a party line spun deliberately and designed to confuse and worry voters.

"Luckily for West Worcestershire residents, the Tory claims have been scrutinised by the "FactCheck" team set up by Channel 4 News. Here's their verdict:

'Conservative spinning on Liberal Democrat taxation has produced a good deal of coverage over the past few years, contributing to a climate of uncertainty. But the factual basis for this argument is feeble. The idea is indeed discussed in a policy document, but it isn't even close to becoming party policy and the figures … are based on a deliberately flawed interpretation … The Conservative argument is thus a misrepresentation of Lib Dem policy.'

Ricard added: "I welcome an open and honest debate about Liberal Democrat policy and I am prepared to accept that Harriet has been misled by senior Conservatives, but I hope she will have the decency to retract her own misleading comments."

Link to the Channel 4 News 'FactCheck' comments:

http://www.channel4.com/news/special-reports/special-reports-storypage.jsp?id=3336