The JC has learnt that a series of US-style “attack ads” are to be placed on local Yorkshire newspapers’ websites later today, attacking Ed Balls, the Schools Secretary, for his privileged background.

The ads include a picture, claimed to be of Mr Balls wearing a Nazi uniform at a party, taken when he was a student at Oxford university.

Mr Balls is Labour candidate in Morley and Outwood, with a notional majority of over 10,000.

However, his Conservative opponent, Antony Calvert has raised large sums of money via the internet to mount a strong campaign against him and is now favourite to win the seat with bookmakers.