Thursday, 25 July 2013

Police rule out vote rigging inquiry

Source BBC News@ tienganhvui.com


Len McCluskeyUnite leader Len McCluskey claimed the union was being "smeared" by Labour


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.


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.


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.


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 suspended

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."


Two Unite members - a 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."





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