A Tory leader has hit out at those behind a fake Facebook profile that contained "unpleasant and defamatory" content about a by-election candidate.

For the past few weeks, a diary reporting what Conservative candidate Brett Rosehill had supposedly been getting up to everyday was published on a now deleted Facebook page.

However, the Hertsmere Conservatives say Mr Rosehill, who is standing in tomorrow's by-election in Kenilworth ward in Borehamwood, did not write any of the posts.

Borehamwood Times:

Conservative candidate Brett Rosehill

Party leader Cllr Morris said: "I am disturbed. I like elections fought on the facts. Any party or person involved that would create a fake Facebook site to degenerate any candidate of any party should be ashamed.

"Elections should be fought on issues that matter to residents.

"Worst of all, it gets spread by the deputy leader of the Labour party, Cllr Michelle Vince, who should know better. I have made this known to Labour's leader Cllr Jeremy Newmark."

Cllr Vince says she "meant no offence" when she shared the fake Facebook page on Monday on a number of Borehamwood Facebook groups, with the caption: "Blimey how did I miss this. A must read. Brett's clearly enjoying being on the campaign trail a little too much."

Borehamwood Times:

She told the Times: "I saw the first few posts and thought Brett was having a laugh and having a bit of fun. I thought the diary was a bit of fun, just to lighten the mood.

"I didn't look at it all properly. I had never seen the page before when I shared it.

"Then someone told me they'd reported my post to the police and electoral commission. I read all of the posts on this page and then I wanted to take my post down.

"But because it had been reported to police, I didn't want to destroy any evidence.

"I haven't got a clue who is responsible for this diary. I meant no offence on my post."

Police have been made aware of the deleted Facebook page.

A spokesperson for Hertsmere Borough Council said: "We are aware of an apparently fake Facebook page purporting to represent one of the candidates in the Kenilworth by-election. This matter has been reported to Hertfordshire Constabulary and it would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this time."

A Hertfordshire Constabulary spokesperson said: "It’s not appropriate to comment at this time with the by-election pending. Any matter would be reviewed in due course."

Tomorrow (Thursday), constituents will go to the polls in Kenilworth to elect a new councillor.

Brett Rosehill is standing for the Tories and is up against Labour's Dan Ozarow, Andy Lewis from the Lib Dems and John Humphries of the Green party.

Read our interview with the four candidates here.