A GROUP dedicated to ensuring Britain leaves the European Union has been reported to the Information Commissioner for allegedly displaying personal information about its own members.

The Vote Leave campaign published the names, addresses, phone numbers and personal messages of those signing-up to their website.

The website did not say that the information would be publicly available and it appears to contrast directly with the privacy policy listed on their web page, which states: "All collected data is stored in locked, secure environments, and any campaign staff or volunteers working on behalf of the campaign will only ever have access to the information they need."

Liberal Democrat Leader, Tim Farron, reported the Vote Leave campaign to the Information Commissioner.

The Westmorland and Lonsdale MP said: "This looks like a very serious breach of the Data Protection Act and an invasion of personal privacy, which is why I have asked the Information Commissioner to investigate.

"Data protection laws are there for a reason and responsible organisations should adhere to them.

"A lax attitude towards the security of people’s sensitive personal information is a gift to criminals and fraudsters. When people sign up to the Leave campaign, they should have their data treated with respect and privacy, rather than plastered all over the internet.

"This is basic stuff. In the week when the Electoral Commission will make a decision about who gets to designation as the official campaign in the EU referendum, this potential breach of the law throws into serious doubt their suitability to be given taxpayer’s money to be a key participant in this important debate.

"Vote Leave must take immediate action to correct this flagrant privacy breach on their website and must fully comply with the Information Commissioner’s investigation."