Sixth arrest made in election fraud investigation

A sixth person has been arrested as part of an investigation into the process of how candidates were put forward for the local election in Tameside, Greater Manchester, on 7 May.

Officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) arrested a 25-year-old man in the Ashton-under-Lyne area on Tuesday morning.

He was detained on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and has since been released on police bail, a force spokesperson said.

Five people previously arrested on suspicion of fraud offences as part of the investigation also remain on bail pending further inquiries.

"Multiple lines of enquiry have already taken place, and we remain in contact with the Electoral Commission and local partners as work is progressed," the force added.

At the time of the first five arrests, a GMP spokesperson said: "In the days leading up to and following the election on 7 May we received reports surrounding concerns about candidates within the St Peter's ward."

They said a full investigation had been launched which was "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".

During the local elections across England and Wales, Labour lost control of Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council.

In three years out of four, one third of the council's seats are contested; in the fourth year, no elections are held.

In St Peter's ward Labour won with 1,352 votes, with an independent candidate receiving 1,175 and Reform UK with 864.

A spokesperson for the Electoral Commission previously said it was aware of "an investigation by Greater Manchester Police into alleged offences committed in the lead up to the local elections in Tameside".

They said it was important voters could have confidence in the integrity of the electoral process and they would continue to provide advice and guidance on electoral law as required.

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