Hertfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner says he is “mystified” that the Liberal Democrats sent out leaflets despite general lockdown guidance.

David Lloyd, the Police and Crime Commissioner, now hopes that the political party can “see sense” and halt the distribution of future leaflets, following the condemnation from both the Conservatives and Labour.

Watford’s Liberal Democrats were accused of violating Government lockdown restrictions with advice discouraging door-to-door leafleting as political parties campaign for the May elections.

But the Lib Dems defended their recent run of leaflets and a ‘WatfordWide News’ tabloid-styled newsletter, by classing the act as an exempt “voluntary service” that cannot reasonably be undertaken from home.

Watford Observer: WatfordWide News was sent out despite current guidance prohibiting leafletingWatfordWide News was sent out despite current guidance prohibiting leafleting

And leading Lib Dem councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst says by using a commercial distribution company in Rickmansworth and the Royal Mail– with “one or two exceptions” – that no rules were broken.

Now Mr Lloyd said: “My view has always been that this is quite simple. Whilst I recognise the wish of all politicians (me included) to get their message out to the public, we are currently in the middle of a pandemic.

“Our civic duty is to keep people safe. That is why I think the sensible approach is to suspend all deliveries until we are through this peak, and why I am mystified that the Lib Dems are putting their volunteers and the public at risk in ignoring this.

“My plea is that they see sense and do the decent thing!”

The Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner has also recently distributed leaflets using the same distribution service.

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When the issue was addressed during the November lockdown, Mr Lloyd admitted there is a slight vagueness with the restrictions but that all parties should hold off political leafleting.

According to the County Council Network, The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government also advised that door-to-door leafleting and canvassing is prohibited until lockdown restrictions ease.

Watford Observer: Another leaflet handed outAnother leaflet handed out

This has been a somewhat national debate, as other areas including Oldham and Liverpool reported similar complaints.

However there are reports of opposition parties like Labour and Conservatives leafleting in other parts of the UK.

Hampshire Police wrote to the Lib Dems in Andover saying “there is no exception” for the rules, and that they are aware of campaign leaflets being delivered.

In a letter seen by the Huffington Post, Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner addressed Lib Dem president Mark Park with her concerns of the leafleting.

A Lib Dem spokesperson told the Huffington Post: “Current government regulations permit volunteering as long as it is done safely, near to home and not in groups. We have issued clear guidance on how to do that to all our councillors and volunteers.

“Up and down the country, Liberal Democrat MPs and councillors have a proud track record of keeping in touch with their local community all year round.

“Right now it is more important than ever to keep people connected through essential communications like leaflets, which highlight how vulnerable people can access essential services during Covid. For many elderly or isolated people, this can be their only source of help.”