Angela Rayner has become embroiled in a row linked to alleged electoral fraud at her local council.
Four men and a woman, all aged between 23 and 47, were arrested on Thursday morning on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud, Greater Manchester Police said.
It follows claims that fake independent candidates were entered on the ballot for Tameside borough council, in the heart of Ms Rayner’s constituency of Ashton-under-Lyne, to split votes for opposition parties.
The alleged plot was reportedly carried out by people associated with Tameside Labour group, with one discussion said to have taken place in Ms Rayner’s kitchen.
Labour candidate Atta Ul-Rasool, the former vice-chairman of the Ashton-under-Lyne Labour branch, was elected after beating the second-placed candidate, Ahmed Mehmood, an independent, by 177 votes.
The two alleged fake candidates received 291 votes between them. St Peter’s ward was the only one in Tameside to return a Labour councillor on May 7, with the remaining 18 being won by Reform UK, resulting in no single party having overall control of the council.
The Telegraph understands that the former deputy prime minister says the developments have nothing to do with her, and that any suggestion she has been involved in or aware of any alleged wrongdoing is baseless.
The arrests come at a critical time for the Labour Party in Manchester. It is less than four weeks before a crucial by-election in Makerfield in which Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, will seek to become the MP and then challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the party leadership.
An investigation by the Manchester Mill website reported claims that the fake independents were put forward by people associated with the Tameside Labour group. Philip Wilson-Marks, the former vice-chairman of the Ashton-under-Lyne Community Labour Party, alleged that he was approached twice about the fake independent tactic, with one of these approaches taking place in Ms Rayner’s kitchen, the Mill reported.
It is not suggested that Ms Rayner was present during any of the alleged conversations.
A woman in the area with the same name as one of the alleged fake candidates had no idea she was on the ballot paper, according to the Tameside Correspondent, a local media outlet, which approached her.
Fake candidates ‘discussed on WhatsApp groups’
Manchester Mill reported allegations that internal messages had been posted in WhatsApp groups connected to the Labour Party, discussing planting fake independent candidates on the ballot paper.
The tactic would split the votes going against the Labour candidate. The messages were allegedly deleted instantly by other members of the group, with instructions not to discuss the topic in the chat.
A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “This morning, officers in Tameside arrested five people on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud as part of an investigation into alleged offences committed leading up to the local elections.
“In the days leading up to and following the election on May 7, we received reports surrounding concerns about candidates within the St Peter’s ward.
“Following initial enquiries 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 five people – four men and a woman aged between 23 and 47 – were arrested at addresses in Tameside this morning. They remain in custody for questioning.
“We are working closely with the Electoral Commission and local partners as part of our enquiries.”
The Telegraph understands that Labour is not aware that any of the individuals arrested are party figures.
A Labour Party spokesman said: “No evidence has been presented of any Labour Party involvement in these allegations. We categorically reject any suggestion that the party was involved.
“The local Labour team is focused on what really matters – delivering for residents and protecting services, not playing political games. We are unable to provide any further comment while police inquiries are under way.”