COLCHESTER’S candidate for the Liberal Democrats has been accused of defaming a business owner in a General Election leaflet.
Jackson & Co, on Caelum Drive, is a letting agency which supplies accommodation for students at Essex Uni and was featured in the General Election leaflet of Martin Goss, Colchester’s Liberal Democrat candidate.
The leaflet - headlined ‘Martin Goss – Speaking up for Colchester’, has a picture of Mr Goss holding a Jackson & Co board under the headline 'Martin calls for an end to no fault convictions'.
The text next to the disputed picture, says Mr Goss wants to “provide private renters more protection” and “end the no-fault eviction which impacts thousands of families each month”.
Dean Jackaman, group managing director at Jackson & Co, said: “I am nothing short of horrified to see this.
“How Mr Goss can pick on me as a well-established professional agency, local employer, and contributor to the local economy is appalling”.
“I would like a full explanation of how Mr Goss thought he could use my established brand in this manner.
"This not only undermines my firm but looks like we have been responsible for no-fault evictions.
"As a company, we don’t deal with no-fault evictions as we do student accommodation.
"He should have thought about this before he ordered and distributed the leaflets."
Mr Goss stressed the photograph, taken on September 27 last year from a public street, was simply to highlight the issue of no-fault evictions as his party has been campaigning for the Government to speed up the Renters Reform Bill.
He has now discussed Mr Jackaman’s comments with lawyers.
In a statement, Mr Goss said: “I simply used the photo of a 'Let By & Managed' sign to highlight the no-fault evictions issue.
"If anything, I would like to work with Mr Jackaman and other property companies locally to help renters with any problems that may affect them.”
Martin Goss is standing in the upcoming General Election for the Liberal Democrats. Also standing are Pam Cox (Lab), James Cracknell (Con), Terrence Longstaff (Reform UK), Sara Ruth (Grn), and James Rolfe (The Climate Party).
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article