LABOR Leader Kevin Rudd has been called a "bastard" during a...

LABOR Leader Kevin Rudd has been called a "bastard" during a visit to a senior citizens club in Devonport, Tasmania.

Mr Rudd, campaigning in the marginal seat of Braddon with Labor candidate Sid Sidebottom, visited a club celebrating its 43rd birthday today.

At the end of the choral performance at the club, choir member David Vowles walked over to confront a seated Mr Rudd and called him a bastard.

"You spoiled the party. You ignorant bastards," Mr Vowles said.

Later Mr Vowles said the Labor leader's appearance had politicised the event.

"That's all he's doing here – publicity," he said.

Mr Vowles was also annoyed the Labor leader had entered the centre during the choir performance.

Club president Bev Twibell said visitors were welcome as it was a public event.

She said local candidate Sid Sidebottom had asked to attend and said he might bring other visitors.

"It was only this morning, about half past ten that (I found out) Kevin Rudd would be coming," she said.

Mr Rudd's wife Therese Rein also was at the function with her husband. Mr Rudd said he was under the impression the visit was organised. "I fully accept responsibility for the misunderstanding," he said. "No-one would go to these things unless they thought they were invited." Mr Rudd said in an election campaign "things never go completely smoothly." "It's part of life in politics. Everyone is going to have different views and that is how it should be."