Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have arrested five individuals on suspicion of fraud related to the local elections in Tameside. The arrests, made on Thursday morning, involve four men and one woman aged between 23 and 47, all held on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud.
Investigation into Candidate Nominations
The police investigation focuses on how candidates were put forward for the St Peter’s ward of Tameside Council. GMP stated they received reports of concerns about candidates in the days before and after the election on May 7. The force is working with the Electoral Commission and local partners to determine whether electoral procedures were followed.
Political Context
The arrests come after Labour lost control of Tameside Council for the first time in 47 years. Reform UK gained 18 seats, while Labour lost 16 councillors and the Conservatives lost two. Labour’s Atta Ul-Rasool was elected in the area. The party has denied allegations of planting fake independent candidates to dilute the vote share, with a spokesperson saying they “categorically reject” any involvement. Labour added that no party figures are among those arrested.
A GMP spokesman said: “Following initial inquiries last week, we have launched a full investigation into the allegations. The work is specifically investigating the process of how candidates were put forward and represented in the ward, and if this adhered to the relevant legislation and electoral procedures.”
The local elections saw Labour lose over 1,400 councillors across England, Wales, and Scotland, with Reform UK making significant gains in traditional Labour strongholds like Sunderland, Hartlepool, and Tameside. The Liberal Democrats and Greens also celebrated breakthroughs.
