Dirty politics spark police probe in Nelson as an investigation into claims of irregularity over a council by-election has led to the suspensions of three Labour activists to the party.
Pendle Borough Council Cllr
Nelson Town Council chairman Faraz Ahmad and Bradley ward’s independent representative on Pendle Borough Council Cllr Mohammed Iqbal revealed some of the individuals on the petition had allegedly not consented to their names being used.
A police spokesman said: “We received a complaint earlier this month about an alleged irregularity in Bradley ward in Nelson following the calling of a by-election and we are in the process of assessing the information provided to determine if any criminal offences have taken place.”
They complained to the borough council who then alerted the police about possible ‘irregularity’ in the process which has led to a preliminary investigation.
Now Labour party sources have confirmed all three members have been administratively suspended over the issue.
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Dirty politics spark police probe in Nelson
Cllr Iqbal, a former Labour leader of Pendle Council who quit the party over Gaza, said:” The two councillors who have falsely used the names of innocent people and left the taxpayers with a £10,000 election bill are Cllr Patricia Hannah-Wood and Cllr Manzar Iqbal.
Cllr Ahmad said: “Due to the disqualification of the Tory Councillor a vacancy was advertised.
“In recent times, people have not called for an election as it costs taxpayers £10,000.
“Instead, any interested person can apply to be co-opted and they are interviewed at no cost to the taxpayers and serve their period accordingly.
“However, a letter was received by the returning officer claiming a number of Bradley residents had called for a by-election.
“This led me and others to check the names and it became clearly apparent they had not given their consent: their names were used by the Labour Party falsely.
“Many have written to the council’s returning officer withdrawing their name.
“I call for the police to fast-track their investigation.”