LABOUR party chiefs in Kent have embarked on a damage-limitation exercise after a Government minister hinted that party supporters switch to the Liberal Democrats to oust Tory leader Michael Howard.

Folkesotne candidate Maureen Tomison insisted that the comments by the Europe minister Denis MacShane had been taken out of context.

In an interview with Kent Messenger Group political editor Paul Francis, Mr MacShane said: "Certainly, if I was a Folkestone resident I would be telling people to unite around the candidate best-placed to dislodge Michael Howard. Everybody in Folkestone should unite to get rid of Michael Howard."

He went on to say that Liberal Democrats elsewhere in Kent should "think strategically" in return and consider voting Labour in Tory-held seats.

The comments were seized on by local Liberal Democrats, who hailed what they saw as a tacit admission from Labour that they had the best chance of causing an upset in the constituency.

However, Labour candidate Maureen Tomison said Mr MacShane had been misquoted.

She said: "Denis MacShane and I have worked worked together regularly for some years. He has encouraged and supported my candidacy in Folkestone and wants me to beat Michael Howard.

"Dr MacShane and I agree with the Labour Party nationally and locally in their belief that I stand the best chance of beating Michael Howard."

While the last election had seen Labour come a poor third, she insisted that splits at a local level among Shepway Liberal Democrats meant Labour should be regarded as the best-placed challenger, she added.

* Political editor Paul Francis writes: "We stand by our story. The comments attributed to Mr MacShane were neither misquoted or taken out of context but accurately and fully reported."