WIRRAL’S Labour group last night refused to comment on an email calling for help to hand out leaflets in the ward of a defector from their party – despite one of their own volunteers comparing it to “a BNP mailing”.

The email, leaked to the Daily Post, contains a furious rant against former Labour councillor Denis Knowles who two weeks ago quit the party and crossed the council chamber to the Tories.

Last night deputy leader of the Labour group Phil Davies was unrepentant about their stance against their former councillor, again demanding he step down and fight the seat as a Conservative.

Cllr Davies said: “We have made no secret of the fact that we are going to be very strong in letting the people of Seacombe know what we think of what Cllr Knowles has done.”

Following the defection Labour did not waste time leafleting the ward represented by Cllr Knowles, handing out a leaflet detailing the payments and expenses – some £44,000 over two years – he claimed from Merseytravel but was due to lose after being replaced.

The leaflet also featured a mock-up picture of Cllr Knowles with two faces – one saying he is a Labour supporter and the other saying he is Conservative.

But the email calling for party members to deliver the leaflet was criticised by one of its recipients.