This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-26618246

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
UKIP election candidate Matthew Smith faces fraud charge UKIP election candidate Matthew Smith faces fraud charge
(about 2 hours later)
A man due to stand for UKIP in Great Yarmouth at the next general election has been summonsed to faces charges of electoral malpractice.A man due to stand for UKIP in Great Yarmouth at the next general election has been summonsed to faces charges of electoral malpractice.
Matthew Smith is accused of seven counts of supplying a nomination paper to a returning officer knowing it to contain a forged signature. Norfolk county councillor Matthew Smith, 26, is accused of seven counts of supplying a nomination paper to a returning officer knowing it to contain a forged signature.
He also faces three counts of producing forged nomination papers.He also faces three counts of producing forged nomination papers.
Mr Smith, 26, of High Street, Gorleston, was a party agent in Great Yarmouth. Mr Smith, of High Street, Gorleston, was a party agent in Great Yarmouth.
'Forged signature charge' Norfolk Police said Mr Smith was accused of returning fraudulent nomination papers in the Norfolk County Council elections held in the Great Yarmouth district between March and April 2013.
Norfolk Police said Mr Smith is accused of returning fraudulent nomination papers in the Norfolk County Council elections held in the Great Yarmouth district between March and April 2013.
A spokeswoman said: "The charges were authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service and follow an investigation into allegations of electoral malpractice reported to Norfolk Constabulary last April."A spokeswoman said: "The charges were authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service and follow an investigation into allegations of electoral malpractice reported to Norfolk Constabulary last April."
Three-way alliance
Two other men also faces charges in connection with the electionTwo other men also faces charges in connection with the election
Daniel Thistlethwaite, 19, of Station Road, South Belton, and Michael Monk, 60, of Freeman Close, Hopton, also face a charge of one count of supplying a nomination paper to a returning officer knowing it to contain a forged signature. Daniel Thistlethwaite, 19, of Station Road, South Belton, and Michael Monk, 60, of Freeman Close, Hopton, each face a charge of one count of supplying a nomination paper to a returning officer knowing it to contain a forged signature.
All three are due to appear at Norwich Magistrates' Court on 4 April.All three are due to appear at Norwich Magistrates' Court on 4 April.
The Conservatives lost control of Norfolk County Council in May's election. UKIP was for a short time the second-largest party. Richard Coke, leader of the UKIP group on Norfolk County Council, said he was in the process of suspending Mr Smith from the group, pending the outcome of the court case.
UKIP now helps to run the council as part of a three-way alliance with Labour and the Liberal Democrats, supported by Green and independent councillors. UKIP helps to run the council as part of a three-way alliance with Labour and the Liberal Democrats, supported by Green and independent councillors.
Mr Smith was also UKIP's candidate for the position of Norfolk's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC). Mr Smith was UKIP's candidate for the position of Norfolk's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).