A police investigation is under way after claims that a candidate running for election harassed activists from another party while they were canvassing.

Brighton and Hove Labour Party has accused a Green candidate of harassing one of its candidates while door-knocking at a block of flats in Hove.

The incident is alleged to have taken place on the evening of March 28.

Labour made a formal complaint to the council’s returning officer and reported the incident to the police.

The party is calling for the candidate to be expelled from the Green Party and called on the Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, Caroline Lucas, to take action.

The Argus:

A police spokesman said: “Police received a third party report of harassment at a block of flats in King's Road, Hove, on March 31.

“Two people were reported to have been harassed by an individual inside the building on March 28.

“Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of what happened, which includes making contact with the victims.”

Ivor Caplin, former Labour MP for Hove, said he was out campaigning with Labour candidate Jill Stevens when the incident took place.

He said: “We were knocking on doors we had planned to do - this is standard political activity during an election.

“He shouted at us, said he would be voting Green and started to follow us, demanding that we left and threatening to call the police.”

In a letter to Caroline Lucas seen by The Argus, Mr Caplin said: “I would hope that you and the Green Party leadership would take such behaviour as a serious matter and without hesitation expel him from membership of the Green Party.”

A spokeswoman for the Green group said: “We are focused on showcasing the positives behind voting Green and encourage all local parties to do the same.”

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Brighton and Hove City Council told The Argus it did not comment on specific cases.

A council spokesman said: “The returning officer is responsible for administering the election and providing guidance to candidates and agents.

“It is not the role of the returning officer to consider campaigning and election material infringements.

“The returning officer always advises people who raise concerns about possible infringements to report them to Sussex Police.”