Printing error blamed for missing imprint on Reform UK by election leaflets

A printing company has accepted full responsibility for the removal of a legally required imprint from election leaflets distributed on behalf of Reform UK during the Gorton and Denton by election, saying the mistake occurred during its own production process.

Hardings Print Solutions Limited said it identified an internal error which led to the imprint being removed during the final trimming stage of printing. The company said Reform UK neither requested nor authorised the removal and had supplied artwork that fully complied with election law.

The printer said compliant proofs were produced and approved before printing. It said the omission was not identified before the leaflets were distributed and issued an apology to Reform UK and local voters.

Separate reporting by Manchester publication The Mill said it had been contacted by residents across Gorton, Denton and Levenshulme who received the same personalised letter from a woman identifying herself as a 74 year old pensioner named Patricia Clegg.

Constituents received a letter from a concerned pensioner called Patricia Clegg, a lifelong Labour voter who is planning to switch to Reform.

What they didn't know was Clegg was writing it on the party's behalf, because they didn't label it properly. pic.twitter.com/3VAZ7IJR75

— The Mill (@ManchesterMill) February 6, 2026

According to The Mill, each letter was addressed to named residents at their home addresses, suggesting access to the full electoral register. Some recipients told the publication they had opted out of the Open Register, meaning their details should only be available to registered political parties or their agents for legitimate campaigning purposes.

Reform UK issued a statement saying the campaign had commissioned a letter from a local constituent and provided it to the print contractor with the correct legal imprint included. The party said it approved print ready proofs which clearly displayed the required imprint.

A Reform spokesman said it later became clear that a production failure by a third party supplier led to the imprint being removed at the point of printing without the party’s knowledge. The spokesman said the campaign did not know about, intend or authorise the distribution of material without a legal imprint and said responsibility lay entirely with the supplier after compliant materials had been submitted and approved.

In a separate statement, Reform UK addressed concerns about how the constituent was contacted. The party said registered political parties and candidates are entitled to receive copies of the full electoral register, which includes eligible voters’ names and addresses and is used by all parties during election campaigns.