Voter complaints against BNP referred to police

Police have been called in to investigate allegations of attempted postal fraud and voter intimidation by the British National Party at the Pendle Borough Council elections.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th May 2016, 13:25 BST
Updated 9th May 2016, 11:05 BST

Pendle Conservatives made the complaint to the police and the borough’s returning officer Philip Mousdale after concerns were raised by residents in the Marsden ward in the run up to Thursday’s local elections.

Coun. Tommy Cooney, who held his seat from the BNP candidate John Rowe in Marsden, said: “A number of residents have made some very serious accusations regarding the conduct of BNP members.

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“The first allegations centre around BNP members offering to fill in postal vote forms for some residents who allege they were being badgered on their doorstep.

“The second complaint we have received centres around the Pedle Vale polling station on the day of the election in which some voters have complained about being harrassed by BNP members. We hope all these allegations are thoroughly investigated.”

Coun. Cooney received 473 votes in a tightly run contest to the BNP’s John Rowe who received 437 votes. Labour’s John Richardson polled 292 votes.

Related topics:Marsden