A Bradford MP has accused green space defenders of “politicising” the campaign to prevent homes being built on green belt land in the Tong and Fulneck Valley.

On Saturday, more than 50 people attended a walk held to raise awareness of the fight against proposed development in the Holme Wood and Tong area.

But Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe claimed campaigners who handed out prior notifications to drum up support for the walk were also handing out leaflets urging people to vote for the Respect party.

Mr Sutcliffe said: “To me, it’s a bit naughty that they were doing this, to be handing out leaflets for Respect on the same day as the notifications for the walk. It seems to me they are politicising the issue.”

But Gordon Dey, chairman of The Save Tong and Fulneck Valley Association, said there was no “structural or partnership” link between the Respect party and his association.

He said if it was true the leaflets were being handed out at the same time, it was down to the fact one or two members of the association also liked the ideas of Respect and had taken it upon themselves to hand out leaflets.

“It certainly wasn’t part of a plan to hand leaflets out at the same time,” added Mr Day.