Conservatives have accused a government minister of breaching �purdah� rules, which bar spending public money to influence the outcome of an election.

Conservatives have accused a government minister of breaching "purdah" rules, which bar spending public money to influence the outcome of an election.

They said Justice Minister Bridget Prentice's visit to Norwich County Court yesterday, and her release of a press notice about a scheme to help people at risk of repossession in the city, was a breach of the rules because it came during the by-election campaign for the Westminster seat of Norwich North.

Shadow justice secretary Dominic Grieve has made a formal complaint about the incident to cabinet secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell Mr Grieve claimed Ms Prentice appeared to have "intentionally broken Cabinet Office rules by using public resources for party political campaigning". He demanded to know if the Cabinet Office ethics and propriety team was consulted before the visit to Norwich, as guidelines requires, and how much public money was spent.

Sir Gus issued guidance during the Crewe and Henley by-elections last year, reminding civil servants that - as in general elections - "particular care must be taken to ensure official resources are not used for party political purposes"

in relation to visits and announcements while campaigns are ongoing.

Ms Prentice's visit yesterday was designed to publicise a housing arrears pre-action scheme developed at Norwich County Court to prevent repossession proceedings against council tenants who fall behind with their rent.

It was timed to coincide with the launch of a consumer white paper, setting out Government plans to help people in financial difficulties.

In his letter to Sir Gus, Mr Grieve said: "I fear that this is growing evidence of an attempt to politicise the civil service under Labour.

"I request an immediate investigation be conducted into their latest breach, and that you write to ministers and permanent secretaries to remind them again of their obligation."

The Norwich North by-election, triggered by the resignation of Labour MP Ian Gibson, will be held on July 23 after a writ was moved in the House of Commons on Tuesday.

The Cabinet Office confirmed Sir Gus had received Mr Grieve's letter and will respond to it "in due course".