The Guardian

Nicholas Watt
Tuesday April 12, 2005

Labour campaign chiefs were last night rubbing their hands with glee when a Tory parliamentary candidate admitted altering a photograph to ensure that he was fully in tune with the party's hardline stance on immigration.

Conservative candidate Ed Matts with Ann Widdecombe protesting in support of the Kacheps family, who were facing deportation. On the right handride the same picture, doctored to support the party line, on Mr Matts' election leaflet.

Ed Matts, the Conservative candidate in Labour's most marginal seat of Dorset South, thought he might garner a few votes when he appeared at a rally last month to show his support for the heart-rending case of the Kachepa family who are facing deportation. In a coup he managed to haul in Ann Widdecombe, who held a banner at the rally proclaiming: "Let Them Stay."

Eagle-eyed Labour activists could hardly believe their luck when a completely different version of the same picture appeared on Mr Matts's election leaflets. The striking figure of Ms Widdecombe is still there, alongside the aspiring MP. But the crowds have disappeared and Mr Matts's picture of the Kachepa family and the words on Ms Widdecombe's banner have been replaced with words supportive of the party's tough line on immigration. Labour admitted passing them to the Times.

Conservative HQ defended his actions. A spokesman said: "Ed Matts excluded the family who appeared in the original photo by creating a new image in order to protect them from media attention."

Jim Knight, defending a 153 majority in the seat, called for his Tory rival to be removed. "This is a deceit that will appal the people of Dorset South."