Twitter message sparks fiery election battle in Edgbaston
The MP has used a picture of Coun Alden on Labour leaflets criticising Conservative-run Birmingham City Council.
The photograph was taken from the council website. However, at the end of 2009 Coun Alden bought the copyright from the council preventing anyone publishing the picture without first gaining her approval.
Coun Alden said: “Mrs Stuart did not ask my permission to use the photo. I have written to her asking her to withdraw the leaflets forthwith, dispose of them, confirm to me that she is going to do just that and not to use photos of me again when she doesn’t own the copyright.”
As a city councillor, Coun Deirdre Alden is entitled to claim a basic allowance of £16,267 plus £14,099 as chairman of the health scrutiny committee and £4,196 as chairman of the Edgbaston Constituency Committee.
Coun John Alden can claim the basic allowance plus £14,099 for chairing the leisure scrutiny committee.
Coun Robert Alden can only claim the basic allowance.
Expenses can be claimed by councillors for travel and overnight accommodation on official duties.
Last year, Coun Deirdre Alden claimed £400 for petrol.
She added: “It’s a bit rich for an MP who claimed expenses at Westminster for buying food to criticise us.
“I have asked her to apologise, but she hasn’t done so yet.”
Mrs Stuart is facing a tough fight to cling on to her Edgbaston seat.
She won at the 2005 General Election with a majority of 2,349, leaving Coun Deirdre Alden needing a swing of just over three per cent to take the seat this year. Asked to comment on her Twitter messages, Mrs Stuart said: “As soon as I knew the facts, I put the facts up.”
Regarding the leaflet, Mrs Stuart said she had received the letter of complaint from Mrs Alden. “It said she had purchased the copyright for £12”, she said.
She refused to comment on whether any action would be taken to remove the picture from the leaflet, saying her agent would respond to Mrs Alden.
