Labour Party group accused of faking independent candidates in local election

Labour Party group accused of faking independent candidates in local election Submitted by Imran Mulla on Thu, 05/21/2026 - 15:50 Five people have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud, according to Greater Manchester Police The fake candidates secured 291 votes in the local election held on 7 May (AFP) Off A Labour Party group in Tameside in Greater Manchester has been accused of inventing fake independent candidates in the local elections in an attempt to split votes for opposition candidates. Four men and a woman aged between 23 and 47 have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud, according to Greater Manchester Police. Local newspaper Manchester Mill reported claims that members of the Tameside Labour group planted fake independent candidates in the St Peter's Ward called Muhammad Ali and Marie Fairhurst.