A mother received an official looking letter saying her son was gay and potentially had AIDS.

But the letter was a cruel hoax.

Headed “North London AIDS Advisory Council”, the letter claimed to be in partnership with Islington Council.

It was feared more were in circulation, and a town hall spokesman said: “It’s entirely bogus. Anyone receiving a copy should take it to the police.”

Meanwhile, claims in the Sun that four Islington councillors ran up rent arrears of more than £4,000 were “lashed” by leader Margaret Hodge after a town hall official leaked the information.

She described it as an “appalling bit of gutter journalism” at a council meeting.