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Police rule out Falkirk vote rigging inquiry Police rule out Falkirk vote rigging inquiry
(about 2 hours later)
Police will not launch a criminal inquiry into vote rigging allegations in Falkirk, BBC Scotland has learned.Police will not launch a criminal inquiry into vote rigging allegations in Falkirk, BBC Scotland has learned.
Police Scotland has concluded that there is "insufficient" evidence to launch a criminal investigation.Police Scotland has concluded that there is "insufficient" evidence to launch a criminal investigation.
The Labour Party handed over an internal report to police after claims that the Unite union had recruited more than 100 members in the constituency in a bid to ensure their preferred candidate would win. Unite has called for two activists who were suspended over the allegations to be reinstated by the Labour Party immediately.
Labour said it would now pursue disciplinary action "as a matter of urgency".
The party handed over an internal report to police after claims the Unite union had recruited more than 100 members in the constituency in a bid to ensure its preferred candidate would win.
But a police spokesman told the BBC: "Following a comprehensive review of all material submitted, Police Scotland has concluded there are insufficient grounds to support a criminal investigation at this time. However, should further information come to light this will be looked into."But a police spokesman told the BBC: "Following a comprehensive review of all material submitted, Police Scotland has concluded there are insufficient grounds to support a criminal investigation at this time. However, should further information come to light this will be looked into."
An investigation by Labour's ruling NEC found "sufficient evidence of concern" about membership lists in the Falkirk party to place the selection process - to find a replacement for controversial MP Eric Joyce who is not standing again - under special measures.An investigation by Labour's ruling NEC found "sufficient evidence of concern" about membership lists in the Falkirk party to place the selection process - to find a replacement for controversial MP Eric Joyce who is not standing again - under special measures.
The Conservative MP Henry Smith wrote to the Chief Constable of Police Scotland, Sir Stephen House, asking for an inquiry and suggested that Unite might have committed fraud.The Conservative MP Henry Smith wrote to the Chief Constable of Police Scotland, Sir Stephen House, asking for an inquiry and suggested that Unite might have committed fraud.
Candidates suspendedCandidates suspended
Police say if further information comes to light, their decision not to investigate may be reconsidered.Police say if further information comes to light, their decision not to investigate may be reconsidered.
Unite's general secretary Len McCluskey has previously claimed that the union was being "smeared" by Labour and yesterday said it was a "disgrace" that police had been called in. Unite insists that recruitment of new members in the constituency had been "within the rules." Unite's general secretary Len McCluskey has previously claimed that the union was being "smeared" by Labour and on Wednesday said it was a "disgrace" that police had been called in.
Two Unite members - a candidate Karie Murphy and the Falkirk branch chairman Stephen Deans - remain suspended by Labour. Two Unite members - candidate Karie Murphy and the Falkirk branch chairman Stephen Deans - remain suspended by Labour.
Earlier this month, Ed Miliband said the NEC's report had shown "people were being signed up as members of the Labour Party without their knowledge. It says that bad practices were going on. It says people were being asked to sign up to the Labour Party on the condition that they supported particular candidates."Earlier this month, Ed Miliband said the NEC's report had shown "people were being signed up as members of the Labour Party without their knowledge. It says that bad practices were going on. It says people were being asked to sign up to the Labour Party on the condition that they supported particular candidates."
A Labour Party spokesman said: "As a result of the police decision, we will now pursue disciplinary action as a matter of urgency.
"The internal Labour inquiry found there was enough evidence to concern us about membership recruitment in Falkirk.
"We will act on this swiftly and thoroughly as we have done throughout this matter."
However, Unite welcomed the police decision, which it described as "an overdue application of common sense to the situation".
A spokesman said: "Unite reaffirms what it has always said - the union broke neither Labour Party rules nor the law in Falkirk.
"Those in the media who have smeared the union without evidence or justification should now hang their heads in shame.
"We would hope that Labour will now lift the suspensions of Stevie Deans and Karie Murphy, agree to an independent investigation into what happened in Falkirk, and restore full rights to the constituency party as soon as possible."