Labour 'cyber-squatting'
2004-09-27 22:17
London - Britain's ruling Labour Party was accused on Monday of planning dirty tricks by registering three internet domains which use the name of the leader of the main opposition Conservatives.
The sites - Michaelhowardmp.org, Michaelhowardmp.net and Michaelhowardmp.org.uk - were all registered in the name of the Labour Party, a Conservative MP claimed.
Conservative leader Michael Howard has the markedly similar Michaelhowardmp.com as his official website address.
Michael Fabricant, an industry and technology spokesperson for the Conservatives, accused Labour of "cyber-squatting", something officially condemned by the government.
"I do not believe the Labour Party has registered these websites in Mr Howard's name in order to sell them back to him. That would be bad enough.
"Is the plan, therefore, to misrepresent Mr Howard?," Fabricant said.
"It is quite clear they are planning to mount a desperate dirty tricks campaign."
Prime Minister Tony Blair and other Labour members are meeting this week in Brighton for the party's annual conference.
- AFP