Five people arrested on suspicion of local elections fraud as probe launched

Greater Manchester Police said the five arrests were made as part of an investigation into the process of how candidates were put forward for the local election in Tameside

Four men and a woman have been arrested today on suspicion of fraud offences in the lead up to the local elections.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said the five arrests were made as part of an investigation into the process of how candidates were put forward for the local election in Tameside.

The force said four men and a woman, aged between 23 and 47, were arrested on Thursday morning on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud. Officers said it had received reports of concerns about candidates in the St Peter’s ward of Tameside council in the days before and after the election on May 7.

Labour lost control of Tameside council – which is in Angela Rayner’s patch – after 47 years in power, with Reform UK picking up 18 seats. Labour lost 16 councillors and the Tories lost two. Labour’s Atta Ul-Rasool was elected councillor in the area.

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It comes after the Labour Party denied accusations of planting fake independent candidates in two council wards in Tameside to dilute the vote share.

Labour said it “categorically rejects” any suggestion it was involved in these allegations. It’s understood Labour is not aware of any of its party figures having been arrested and that those arrested do not include any candidates..

A GMP spokesman said: “Following initial inquiries last week, we have launched a full investigation into the allegations.

“The work is specifically investigating the process of how candidates were put forward and represented in the ward, and if this adhered to the relevant legislation and electoral procedures.”Police are working with the Electoral Commission and local partners, the spokesman said.

A Labour Party spokesman said: “No evidence has been presented of any Labour Party involvement in these allegations. We categorically reject any suggestion that the Party was involved. The local Labour team is focussed on what really matters – delivering for residents and protecting services, not playing political games. We are unable to provide any further comment while police inquiries are underway.”

Voters punished Labour across England, Wales and Scotland in nightmare elections at the start of the month. Keir Starmer’s party lost more than 1,400 councillors as it bled support to the left and right, as Reform made sweeping gains across England, and the Lib Dems and the Greens celebrated significant breakthroughs.

Nigel Farage’s party won in totemic Labour strongholds like Sunderland and Hartlepool, as well as Tameside.