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Ukip supporter questioned over alleged election fraud Ukip supporter questioned over alleged election fraud
(5 months later)
Police are investigating allegations of postal election fraud against a Ukip supporter in Northumberland.Police are investigating allegations of postal election fraud against a Ukip supporter in Northumberland.
The Guardian understands that a complaint was made to police in relation to a Ukip canvasser on the Cowpen council estate in Blyth.The Guardian understands that a complaint was made to police in relation to a Ukip canvasser on the Cowpen council estate in Blyth.
A 30-year-old man was interviewed by detectives on Monday after attending a police station voluntarily, a Northumbria police spokesman said.A 30-year-old man was interviewed by detectives on Monday after attending a police station voluntarily, a Northumbria police spokesman said.
It is believed the man had been canvassing for Ukip's candidate in the Cowpen ward, Barry Elliott, who is not under suspicion, according to a Ukip spokesman. The spokesman stressed that no allegations had been made against the party.It is believed the man had been canvassing for Ukip's candidate in the Cowpen ward, Barry Elliott, who is not under suspicion, according to a Ukip spokesman. The spokesman stressed that no allegations had been made against the party.
"We're a bit baffled. We don't know who made the allegation or what the allegation entailed. Barry went down to the police station this morning to try to find out what was going on and was told he wasn't being investigated and neither is the party," the spokesman said."We're a bit baffled. We don't know who made the allegation or what the allegation entailed. Barry went down to the police station this morning to try to find out what was going on and was told he wasn't being investigated and neither is the party," the spokesman said.
"We are feeling aggrieved at how this has been leaked. The damage has already been done whatever the outcome of the police investigation and we don't get much redress.""We are feeling aggrieved at how this has been leaked. The damage has already been done whatever the outcome of the police investigation and we don't get much redress."
Labour said it would not prejudge the outcome of the investigation but called for Elliott to publicly condemn the tactics of some of his supporters.Labour said it would not prejudge the outcome of the investigation but called for Elliott to publicly condemn the tactics of some of his supporters.
A spokesperson said: "We're obviously keen to let the police investigation take its course but we've had a number of concerns about the tactics used in Ukip's Cowpen campaign. We've had to deal with scaremongering, personal attacks on the Labour candidate and now allegations of voter fraud.A spokesperson said: "We're obviously keen to let the police investigation take its course but we've had a number of concerns about the tactics used in Ukip's Cowpen campaign. We've had to deal with scaremongering, personal attacks on the Labour candidate and now allegations of voter fraud.
"We're now calling on the Ukip candidate to distance himself from the activities of some of his supporters on the doorstep and to apologise for the distress caused to local residents.""We're now calling on the Ukip candidate to distance himself from the activities of some of his supporters on the doorstep and to apologise for the distress caused to local residents."
Cowpen, one of the most deprived areas of Northumberland, is one of the most hotly contested wards in this week's county council elections. Labour insiders admit the poll is likely to be tight.Cowpen, one of the most deprived areas of Northumberland, is one of the most hotly contested wards in this week's county council elections. Labour insiders admit the poll is likely to be tight.
Two Cowpen residents prompted the police investigation after reporting concerns to a local Labour councillor, Grant Davey, about the tactics allegedly used by Ukip canvassers to persuade them to hand over their uncompleted postal votes. One elderly resident alleged that a Ukip doorknocker filled in the ballot paper for her, the Guardian understands.Two Cowpen residents prompted the police investigation after reporting concerns to a local Labour councillor, Grant Davey, about the tactics allegedly used by Ukip canvassers to persuade them to hand over their uncompleted postal votes. One elderly resident alleged that a Ukip doorknocker filled in the ballot paper for her, the Guardian understands.
Davey's wife, Susan Davey, is the incumbent councillor for Cowpen and is standing for re-election in Thursday's ballot. Elliott, her main rival, is well known in the area after buying the local lifeboat.Davey's wife, Susan Davey, is the incumbent councillor for Cowpen and is standing for re-election in Thursday's ballot. Elliott, her main rival, is well known in the area after buying the local lifeboat.
Elliott recently featured on the Channel 4 documentary Geordies Overboard, which followed the lifeboat service for six stormy months. The programme was dismissed as a stitch-up by the lifeboat crew after the show focused on infighting between them and Elliott. The decision to subtitle the participants was also felt to be patronising.Elliott recently featured on the Channel 4 documentary Geordies Overboard, which followed the lifeboat service for six stormy months. The programme was dismissed as a stitch-up by the lifeboat crew after the show focused on infighting between them and Elliott. The decision to subtitle the participants was also felt to be patronising.
Northumbria police confirmed that detectives were investigating a report of alleged electoral fraud. Detective Inspector Dave Brown said: "We can confirm that we have received a complaint regarding possible postal fraud in the Cowpen area. We are in the early stages of the investigation and inquiries are ongoing."Northumbria police confirmed that detectives were investigating a report of alleged electoral fraud. Detective Inspector Dave Brown said: "We can confirm that we have received a complaint regarding possible postal fraud in the Cowpen area. We are in the early stages of the investigation and inquiries are ongoing."
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