Police probe dirty tricks claims in Ealing Southall by-election

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Voters went to the polls in the Ealing Southall by-election today amid new allegations of dirty tricks and the launch of a police investigation into a possible breach of electoral law.

The Met said it was looking at claims that the results of postal votes for the crucial contest had been published on a Daily Telegraph website.

Revealing the results of postal votes is forbidden as it could influence the decision of voters using the ballot box.

Labour called for the police to intervene after the article appeared on a Daily Telegraph blog quoting a "source inside the Tory campaign".

A Met spokesman said that the allegation was being "thoroughly investigated".

A Telegraph Media Group spokesman said: "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."

The by-election, the first since Gordon Brown became Prime Minister, has been one of the most bruising and bitter contests in recent memory and Labour has been forced to dig deep to defend its majority of 11,441.

David Cameron has visited the convene-five times in support of Tony Lit, a controversial choice of candidate hand-picked by the leader in the face of opposition from some local party members.

The 34-year-old stood down from his post as managing director of Sunrise Radio for the campaign.

The Conservatives have accused Labour of ambushing Mr Cameron during a visit. The party claimed a signed-up Labour supporter was "planted" to confront the Tory leader in front of the media.

In a further twist, as Sir Menzies Campbell claimed the Lib-Dems were "neck and neck" with Labour in the constituency, party workers called for police to investigate the theft of several of its posters.

The by-election was caused by the death of Labour MP Piara Khabra. Labour's candidate is Virendra Sharma, 60, and the Liberal Democrats are represented by Nigel Bakhai, 36. The polls close at 10pm.

Voting is also taking place in Sedgefield today after Tony Blair stood down as MP.