A calendar sent out by a Labour MP has attracted criticism for being printed in UKIP colours.

The purple and yellow 2014 calendar was circulated as part of a leaflet telling people in Brent North about the causes and campaigns Labour MP Barry Gardiner has been involved in over the last year.

However, Kishan Devani, Conservative candidate for Northwick Park ward, said: “At first we were extremely surprised when we were given the calendar. When we looked closer we were further astonished at the colour scheme that was being used in it. Purple and Yellow? Surely not?! There was not a sight of the Red Rose or Labour red. As far as we are aware these calendars which are in striking resemblance to colours that are used by another political party have been distributed all over Brent, in the Brent North constituency.”

Mr Gardiner said that he chose the colours to look nice and that the criticism was “nonsense”.

The Brent North MP, who has represented the constituency for the past 16 years, said: “I tend to do it in different colours every year, the point is it is there to look nice. The content is what is important. The very fact that the Conservatives have decided that the only thing they can criticise is the colour rather shows the paucity of their policies. I don’t think UKIP has ever been a strong candidate in Brent and the whole idea that they are a political rival is far-fetched. The calendar shows all the work I have been doing in the last year and they haven’t passed comment on the content, I think that speaks for itself.”

He added: “It has got the Labour party national number on there. I am not here canvassing for votes, I am communicating with my constituents and telling them what I have been doing over the last year. I am providing them with useful information if they have any problems and want to get in touch. I am not electioneering. It is nonsense and I treat it with the (lack of) severity it deserves.”

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