Five held in council election fraud investigation

Five radical person been arrested connected suspicion of fraud offences arsenic portion of an probe into the process of however candidates were enactment guardant for the section predetermination successful Tameside, Greater Manchester.

The 4 men and a woman, aged betwixt 23 and 47, were held astatine addresses successful the borough earlier, constabulary said.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: "In the days starring up to and pursuing the predetermination connected 7 May we received reports surrounding concerns astir candidates wrong the St Peter's ward.

"Following archetypal enquiries past week, we person launched a afloat probe into the allegations."

The spokesperson continued: "The enactment is specifically investigating the process of however candidates were enactment guardant and represented successful the ward, and if this adhered to the applicable authorities and electoral procedures.

"We are moving intimately with the Electoral Commission and section partners arsenic portion of our enquiries.

"We volition supply further updates arsenic we advancement our probe further."