AN investigation has been launched after leaflets for the YES campaign were sent out in official Welwyn Hatfield Council envelopes.

With the vote for the Alternative Vote (AV) tomorrow (Thursday) the council’s chief executive Michel Saminaden has made a public announcement stating the literature is nothing to do with the authority, which “remains neutral” on the subject.

In the announcement Mr Saminaden said: “It has come to our attention that on at least two occasions council envelopes have been used for the delivery of publicity material relating to the forthcoming referendum on the voting system for UK parliamentary elections.

“The council is not allowed by law to publish material relating to a referendum which express support for or opposition to a particular answer to a referendum question and Welwyn Hatfield Council has not done so.”

Speaking to the WHT he added: “The publicity material sent out contained a ‘vote yes’ message on the imminent referendum on the Alternative Voting (AV) system.

“An investigation into the source of this material is now underway, but it is too early to say what action will be taken until further facts are established.”