Nicholas Pegg writes to Simon Jupp and posts his letter on “X”:

I have written today to my MP, @simonjamesjupp, to ask him some more questions about the developing story of the bogus web links which dishonestly used the name of Lib Dem MP @RichardFoordLD to direct voters to Mr Jupp’s campaign site. (Mr Jupp did not reply to my last letter.)

To Simon Jupp, MP

House of Commons

London SW1A OAA

Monday, 22nd April, 2024

Dear Mr Jupp,

Two weeks ago today, I wrote as your constituent to ask you some questions about the unedifying affair of the deceptive web links which used the name of Richard Foord MP, your rival in the forthcoming general election, to mislead web users and direct them instead to your own campaign website. I have not yet received a reply from you.

The day before I wrote, you had made a brief statement to the BBC, saying that you were ‘not responsible for the web domains in Mr Foord’s name,’ but offering no further detail. Eleven days later, on April 18th, it emerged that your campaign manager, Oliver Kerr, had registered the domain names in question. On the same day, you gave a further statement, in which you said: ‘The individual responsible has apologised for making an error of judgement, without my knowledge or approval, and no longer owns the website domains in question.’

Given that this falls short of being an adequate explanation of the incident, I am writing again to ask you five questions.

1. Could you please explain exactly when you became aware that the web domains had been purchased by Mr Kerr? Let’s work on the assumption that when the story first broke, it would probably have occurred to you to check with your campaign team before making your initial statement.

2. Could you please explain the reason for the 11-day silence between your statement that you were ‘not responsible’ and your second statement, which finally identified the culprit?

3. Were the purchases of the misleading web domains paid for by Mr Kerr out of his own pocket, or was he reimbursed from your campaign funds, constituency funds or party funds? Given that the misuse of funds is a serious issue, I would naturally find the latter hard to believe – but then again, other headlines over the last week have made for quite a read.

4. While it is reassuring to know that the website deception was carried out, in your words, ‘without my knowledge or approval’, you are doubtless also aware that Richard Foord’s constituents have been targeted on several occasions by ‘newsletter’ style campaign leaflets which misleadingly describe you as ‘local MP Simon Jupp’. Are you able to confirm that all of these misleading mailshots were also distributed without your knowledge or approval?

5. Since the start of this year, you have found time amid your urgent casework to publicise your visits and your support for local services and businesses in Cullompton, Colyton, Higher Wiscombe, Axmouth, Luppitt, Upottery, Honiton, Seaton, Beer, Branscombe, Broadhembury, Dalwood and Axminster, all of which are in Mr Foord’s constituency, not yours. Did you carry out these visits and photo opportunities without your own knowledge or approval?

Mr Jupp, I’m sure you will agree that you owe a full explanation to your constituents, as well as to Mr Foord’s constituents, and to the country. We all look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Nicholas Pegg