Vote-rigging claim set for police probe

Carolyn Wilkins: concerns passed to police

SERIOUS allegations about three Oldham councillors have been passed to police.

An email sent to Oldham Council chief executive Carolyn Wilkins accused the elected members of a range of offences, including postal vote swapping and tampering, intimidation on voting day and bribery for votes. The email also raised concerns about the criminal activity of certain councillors’ relatives and highlighted a matter already dismissed by the council’s standards committee.

The email was sent by Mohammed Khan, who also forwarded it to the Chronicle.

He said: “I really need your help on some allegations made regarding the election held on May 7. The returning officer is refusing to give an update on the police investigation. She also hasn’t suspended any of the elected members involved.”

A spokesman for Oldham Council confirmed the matters have been passed to police.

The spokesman added: “It is important to note the chief executive, as returning officer, does not have any power to suspend a councillor. The only thing that could happen is that if someone is convicted that could trigger their automatic disqualification.”

twitter: @DawnMarsdenOC