AN MP has branded local Liberal Democrats “deeply irresponsible” after newsletters were handed out during Tier 4 restrictions.

The Lib Dems in Eastleigh have been handing out their newsletter five or six times a year for the past 30 years, according to Lib Dem county and borough councillor Keith House.

He says that all safety measures are taken, the same way as postal workers take precautions.

MP for Eastleigh, Conservative, Paul Holmes says however that it is unsafe to be doing this, at a time when his party has suspended physical campaigning.

He said: “At a time when we know the virus is spreading rapidly, local Liberal Democrats are engaging in unsafe physical campaigning which poses a risk to residents.

“Surely when we are all making enormous sacrifices and grandparents are going without seeing grandchildren to stop the spread of Covid-19, Eastleigh Liberal Democrats can see that putting out party political leaflets is wrong?”

Eastleigh Labour campaigner Sam Jordan also claimed his neighbours have received newsletters, as well as members of his family who are shielding.

He said: “I’m very disappointed and very angry. We suspended all physical engagement once the pandemic really took off.”

Keith House claimed that it is important that the Liberal Democrats keep residents informed.

He said: “I would have thought that Paul Holmes and Sam Jordan have more pressing things to worry about.

"We like everyone else are reviewing the affects of lockdown at the moment, but our communications with residents is important to them and to us and will continue for many decades.”