BOLTON’S UKIP group is standing by leaflets which claim “Labour-controlled Bolton” is being investigated in relation to child-sex abuse.

The letter – sent out as part of campaigning for the upcoming Harper Green by-election – claimed that the police’s counter-child abuse operation codenamed Doublet is investigating the towns of Bolton, Bury, Oxford and Derby.

UKIP adds that the authorities are all “run by the politically correct/diversity Labour brigades”.

The leaflet has caused outrage among the Labour group, which described the claims as “malicious and untrue.”

UKIP candidate Mr Armstrong said he and the party stood by the wording of the letter.

He said: “We will not be retracting the letter in any way shape or form – we stand by what we said.”

He added: “The advice from the police was that under these circumstances it would be better not to send any more out – but I explained that all the letters have already been posted, so that’s the end of it.”

Police have confirmed that neither Bolton Council nor any Bolton councillors are being investigated as part of Operation Doublet.

The majority of the offences under investigation were committed in Rochdale between 2003 and 2013 Ch Insp Carol Martin said: “This didn’t breach the threshold of criminality but in the interest of consideration we advised them not to send any more out.”

The majority of the offences were committed in Rochdale between 2003 and 2013.”

Senior Labour Cllr Nick Peel said: “How can Jeff Armstrong stand by that statement which says that Labour-run Bolton is being investigated by Operation Doublet when the police have specifically said it’s not true.

“On what grounds have UKIP got to continue this slur on the staff of Bolton Council? Have they no shame?”

“They have really dragged political campaigning into the gutter.”

Labour Cllr Jean Gillies said: “It really makes you question the intelligence of Mr Armstrong as a potential councillor that he is not listening to what the police have said.

“What part of it does he not understand?”

The Harper Green by-election is taking place on October 16, following the death of previous incumbent Cllr Asha Ali Ismail.