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Police investigate complaint over Paul Nuttall's Stoke byelection bid Police investigate complaint over Paul Nuttall's Stoke byelection bid
(about 1 hour later)
Police are investigating a complaint about Ukip leader Paul Nuttall’s bid to become an MP in Stoke-on-Trent after his nomination papers declared his address as a house where he was not yet resident. Police are investigating a complaint about Paul Nuttall’s bid to become an MP in Stoke-on-Trent after his nomination papers declared his address as a house where he was not yet resident.
Nuttall’s papers for the 23 February byelection gave his home address as an end-of-terrace house near the city centre. However, when Channel 4 News’s Michael Crick went to the house on Wednesday morning, it appeared empty.Nuttall’s papers for the 23 February byelection gave his home address as an end-of-terrace house near the city centre. However, when Channel 4 News’s Michael Crick went to the house on Wednesday morning, it appeared empty.
When questioned by Channel 4, the Ukip leader said: “Yes. And I will be [living there]. I’m not now.”When questioned by Channel 4, the Ukip leader said: “Yes. And I will be [living there]. I’m not now.”
The Electoral Commission’s guidance for candidates says those standing in Westminster elections must give their current home address on their nomination papers; this cannot be just a business address. Nuttall filed his papers on 31 January.The Electoral Commission’s guidance for candidates says those standing in Westminster elections must give their current home address on their nomination papers; this cannot be just a business address. Nuttall filed his papers on 31 January.
It is an offence under the Representation of the People Act 1983 to knowingly provide false information on a nomination paper, with potential penalties being a fine or up to 51 weeks in jail.It is an offence under the Representation of the People Act 1983 to knowingly provide false information on a nomination paper, with potential penalties being a fine or up to 51 weeks in jail.
Staffordshire police said in a statement: “We have received a report of an allegation of election fraud relating to the Stoke Central byelection on Thursday 23 February 2017. Officers will be investigating the circumstances.”Staffordshire police said in a statement: “We have received a report of an allegation of election fraud relating to the Stoke Central byelection on Thursday 23 February 2017. Officers will be investigating the circumstances.”
A Ukip spokesperson said: “We are entirely happy that all rules have been complied with. If and when the police decide to talk to us we will be happy to help them.”A Ukip spokesperson said: “We are entirely happy that all rules have been complied with. If and when the police decide to talk to us we will be happy to help them.”
In a statement, Fiona Ledden, acting returning officer at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “It is clear from this that, as acting returning officer, I am required to take the nomination document provided to me at face value and I am not in a position to investigate what appears on the form. In a statement, Fiona Ledden, acting returning officer at Stoke-on-Trent City council, said: “It is clear from this that, as acting returning officer, I am required to take the nomination document provided to me at face value and I am not in a position to investigate what appears on the form.
“There was an opportunity to object to any nomination papers and no objections were received. We understand the police are due to investigate and we will be co-operating fully as we would in any other matter.”“There was an opportunity to object to any nomination papers and no objections were received. We understand the police are due to investigate and we will be co-operating fully as we would in any other matter.”
On Wednesday, a spokesman for Nuttall said the Ukip leader, who is marginally ahead of Labour as the bookmakers’ favourite to take the strongly pro-leave seat, was in the process of moving into the house and would spend his first night there that evening.On Wednesday, a spokesman for Nuttall said the Ukip leader, who is marginally ahead of Labour as the bookmakers’ favourite to take the strongly pro-leave seat, was in the process of moving into the house and would spend his first night there that evening.
The party had taken a lease on the house more than a week before, the spokesman said, and Nuttall would base himself there throughout the campaign. If he won he would live in Stoke permanently, he added, if not necessarily at that address.The party had taken a lease on the house more than a week before, the spokesman said, and Nuttall would base himself there throughout the campaign. If he won he would live in Stoke permanently, he added, if not necessarily at that address.
The Ukip leader defended himself on Twitter, saying: “A candidate being attacked for being prepared to move to his constituency must be a first...” The Ukip leader defended himself on Twitter, saying: “A candidate being attacked for being prepared to move to his constituency must be a first ...”
Nuttall’s candidacy in the byelection has raised the stakes, making it a key test of his stated intention to take seats from Labour in pro-Brexit areas.Nuttall’s candidacy in the byelection has raised the stakes, making it a key test of his stated intention to take seats from Labour in pro-Brexit areas.
The byelection was triggered when Labour’s Tristram Hunt stood down to head the Victoria & Albert museum. Hunt had a majority of just over 5,000 in 2015 but on a small turnout of less than 50%. Ukip came second, marginally ahead of the Conservatives.The byelection was triggered when Labour’s Tristram Hunt stood down to head the Victoria & Albert museum. Hunt had a majority of just over 5,000 in 2015 but on a small turnout of less than 50%. Ukip came second, marginally ahead of the Conservatives.