Five people have been arrested over allegations of fraud in the lead-up to the local elections in Tameside, police have said.
Four men and a woman, aged between 23 and 47, were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud, Greater Manchester Police said on Thursday.
The arrests follow an investigation by the Manchester Mill website, which alleged “fake” independent candidates were put forward by the Tameside Labour group in a bid to split votes for opposition parties.
The police force 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 7 May.
St Peter’s was the only ward to return a Labour councillor, Atta Ul-Rasool, who has been described as a “protege” of former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, the local MP. The remaining 18 council seats were won by Reform.
A police 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.
Manchester Mill reported allegations that internal messages had been posted in WhatsApp groups connected to the party, discussing planting fake independent candidates on the ballot paper in an attempt to split the votes going to the Labour candidate’s rivals.
There were allegedly “fake” independents standing in the St Peter’s ward called Muhammad Ali and Marie Fairhurst.
A woman in the area of that name had no idea she was on the ballot paper, according to the Tameside Correspondent who approached her.
Labour has described allegations that it put up fake independent candidates as “baseless”, but the arrests come at a critical time for the party as Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham prepares to run in the nearby Makerfield by-election next month which, if he wins, could see him launch a leadership challenge against the prime minister.
A Labour Party spokesperson 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.”
It is understood that Labour is not aware of any Labour Party figures featuring among those arrested.
An Electoral Commission spokesperson said: “We are aware of an investigation by Greater Manchester Police into alleged offences committed in the lead up to the local elections in Tameside.
“It is important voters can have confidence in the integrity of the electoral process. We will continue to provide advice and guidance on electoral law as required. We will not comment further while the investigation is ongoing.”
The Independent has contacted Mr Burnham and Ms Rayner’s offices as well as Cllr Atta Ul-Rasool.