A ROW has broken out after housing chiefs were stopped from sending a letter to tenants ... after being accused of "electioneering."

They wanted to give details of plans which could force local authorities to sell off council houses.

But it was withdrawn after complaints that it was "electioneering."

The letter was due to go out with new rent cards being sent to tenants.

It asked tenants whether they agreed with the Government's proposals to sell or transfer council housing to other landlords?

But Labour housing committee chairman Cllr Noel Spencer said: "I am upset about this to put it mildly.

"We had a mandate from the last Bolton Council meeting to consult tenants and there were no objections then from Tory councillors."

But Tory leader Cllr Norman Critchley hit back: "We did agree to consultation. But we did not give a mandate for the council to write to 20,000 people. The timing of this was electioneering."

Mr Richard Smallman, chairman of the Bolton Affiliation of Tenants' Associations hit out: "I think this is disgraceful.

"The idea was for tenants' voices to be heard and now this will not happen."

A Bolton Council spokesman said: "We took legal advice and as a result, the chief executive then decided to take it out."

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