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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Police begin Southall vote probe | Police begin Southall vote probe |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| An investigation has been launched after a complaint from the Labour Party about alleged electoral offences in the Ealing Southall by-election. | An investigation has been launched after a complaint from the Labour Party about alleged electoral offences in the Ealing Southall by-election. |
| It relates to a Daily Telegraph website blog entry which claimed to show how many postal votes each candidate had won ahead of Thursday's ballot. | It relates to a Daily Telegraph website blog entry which claimed to show how many postal votes each candidate had won ahead of Thursday's ballot. |
| The Telegraph Media Group said this was removed as soon as it was pointed out that it could breach electoral law. | The Telegraph Media Group said this was removed as soon as it was pointed out that it could breach electoral law. |
| The Metropolitan Police said the matter is being "thoroughly investigated". | The Metropolitan Police said the matter is being "thoroughly investigated". |
| The article on the Daily Telegraph website quoted "a source inside the Tory campaign". | The article on the Daily Telegraph website quoted "a source inside the Tory campaign". |
| 'Clear breach' | |
| However, a spokesman for the Conservative Party said: "Our agent in Ealing Southall hasn't published any such information or spoken to the Daily Telegraph." | |
| A Telegraph Media Group spokesman confirmed the blog was filed at 1800 BST. | A Telegraph Media Group spokesman confirmed the blog was filed at 1800 BST. |
| He added: "It was on the site for a short period of time until it was pointed out that it might be in breach of electoral law and it was removed instantly this was pointed out." | He added: "It was on the site for a short period of time until it was pointed out that it might be in breach of electoral law and it was removed instantly this was pointed out." |
| The complaint was made in writing by Labour's election agent Ken Clarke, who told police the publication of purported postal voting results appeared to be a "clear breach" of electoral law. | The complaint was made in writing by Labour's election agent Ken Clarke, who told police the publication of purported postal voting results appeared to be a "clear breach" of electoral law. |
| A Met spokesman said: "I can confirm the Metropolitan Police Service has today received an allegation of possible electoral offences in relation to the Southall by-election. | A Met spokesman said: "I can confirm the Metropolitan Police Service has today received an allegation of possible electoral offences in relation to the Southall by-election. |
| "The allegation will be thoroughly investigated and appropriate action taken." | "The allegation will be thoroughly investigated and appropriate action taken." |