Eastleigh By-Election: Tory Candidate Maria Hutchings 'Lifted Wikipedia Copy' On Website

Was Tory By-Election Candidate's Copied From Wikipedia?

The Conservative candidate in the Eastleigh by-election has apparently copied parts of her website from Wikipedia.

Maria Hutchings has boasted of her local links and says: "I am always out and about in the constituency."

Tory candidate Martia Hutchings

But she has been embarrassed after it was revealed the "Eastleigh" section of her campaign site was remarkably similar to the town's Wikipedia entry.

Her Liberal Democrat rival, Mike Thornton, responded by offering to show her around the constituency.

Hutchings has been dubbed the "English Sarah Palin" because of her robust views on immigration and human rights, and has said she would vote to withdraw from the European Union in a referendum.

The by-election is being held on February 28 to replace former Cabinet Minister Chris Huhne, who resigned after admitting perverting the course of justice.

The Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats are vying for the prize seat, and Tory heavyweight tweeted his support after a visit on Monday.

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