Briton Miranda Grell's got a scandal on her hands. The Labour politico stands accused of spreading anti-gay rumors to defeat Waltham Forest incumbent, Barry Smith.

Smith's had been part of the local government for three years and seemed to be quite popular: he won a previous election by 600 votes. In an effort to boost her standings, Grell allegedly told voters that 56-year old Smith, who has a 39-year old boyfriend, kept an underage boyfriend.

Now the two are locked in a bitter court battle.

The court heard Mr Smith was devastated by the way he had lost his seat to Ms Grell by 28 votes. He later moved to northern England.

In the final weeks of canvassing, people slammed doors in his face and, after his defeat, he was abused, threatened and spat at, the court heard.

Leyton resident Naomi Robinson told the court she was shocked to hear Ms Grell call Mr Smith a paedophile during the election campaign.

She said: "Miss Grell told me to ask him [Mr Smith] about his 14-year-old boyfriend as she was driving away from the front of the house. I was quite shocked actually. I was not sure whether to believe it was true or not."

Grell concedes she told one voter Smith had a 19-year old boyfriend, but still calls the allegations "patently absurd". Smith has since moved from the area.