Editors have demanded action from Sir Ed Davey on the Liberal Democrats’ regional press mimicry after discovering a fresh example of the practice by the party.

The Society of Editors has written to the Lib Dem leader to call for a halt to the tactic “once and for all” after the party began distributing a publication called the Welwyn Hatfield News.

The publication features “similar characteristics” to Archant weekly the Welwyn Hatfield Times, with similar font sizes being used on its masthead.

The practice has been defended by a local Lib Dem leader, who has said he “would take it as a compliment” if anyone were to confuse the two.

The latest controversy comes after the Northampton Chronicle & Echo last month warned its readers about the Northants Citizen, a “political propaganda sheet masquerading as local news” which was launched by the party.

A spate of similar incidents were highlighted by HTFP in the run-up to the 2019 General Election and regional publisher Newsquest threatened the party with an election news blackout due to its use of the tactic.

After writing to Sir Ed on the matter of the Welwyn Hatfield News, SoE executive director Ian Murray said: “It seems that no matter how many times this issue is raised the Lib Dems continue to pretend there is not a problem here.

“The simple fact is that if the party were serious about not attempting to mislead the public in this way then a plain – and large – Lib Dems logo on the front page of their local publications would do the trick.

“It just doesn’t seem to make sense for the party to continue down this road, upsetting the local newspaper who I’m certain wishes to treat them in the same way as all other parties when it comes to coverage, and appearing to mislead the public.

“In my letter to Mr Davey I have asked him to intervene to sort this matter out once and for all.”

Malcolm Cowan, leader of the Lib Dem group on Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, has defended the launch of the News.

He told the Welwyn Hatfield Times: “As regards the style of the publication, it is hard to see anyone would confuse it with the appearance of the Welwyn and Hatfield Times – the title, layout and use of colour is so different.

“If anyone did think there was a similarity, we would take it as a compliment.”

The Time sitself declined to comment on the issue when approached by HTFP, while further comment has been sought from the Lib Dems.