Smith reported over election rule breach

Home secretary Jacqui Smith and other ministers have been reported by the Conservatives for alleged breaches of election rules.

The breach of official Whitehall rules relates to the Home Office urging police to stem the tide of radicalisation in local communities, which contravenes the rule that civil service resources must not be used to influence elections, in this case, local polls on May 1 in England and Wales.

Shadow communities secretary Eric Pickles made the formal complaint to the cabinet secretary, Sir Gus O'Donnell, saying: "It is clear that Labour ministers have intentionally broken Cabinet Office rules in an attempt to create a political smokescreen.

"They are trying to hide the fact that police authorities across the country are now axing the number of police officers, whilst hiking the police levy on council tax bills.

"I fear that this is growing evidence of the politicisation of the civil service under Labour, as ministers desperately try to salvage a sinking election campaign."

This latest allegation of an election rule breach, follows a complaint made last month by the Tories centring on newspaper advertisements championing the Home Office's law and order record and costing £150,000.