Seven charged in vote fraud probe

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The seven will appear in court next month charged with conspiracy to defraud.

No personal details of the alleged offenders have been released by police.

Each one is charged with conspiracy to defraud the returning officer in Bradford.

West Yorkshire Police said that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) recommended charges following a joint probe with the city's returning officer into "voting patterns and postal votes".

In a statement, a force spokesman said: "Following allegations regarding the conduct of the General Election in 2005, the returning officer asked West Yorkshire Police to conduct an investigation into the circumstances surrounding voting patterns and postal votes.

"After a lengthy investigation, which involved full co-operation between the returning officer, his staff and West Yorkshire Police, a file of evidence was forwarded to the Crown Prosecution Service for consideration.

"Following detailed and independent scrutiny of the evidence the Crown Prosecution Service recommended proceedings against seven individuals and as a result they will appear before Bradford Magistrates Court on 14th November 2007 charged with conspiracy to defraud the returning officer.

"We wish to emphasise in the strongest terms that Bradford Council, the returning officer and West Yorkshire Police have a firm policy of close liaison with regard to any allegations surrounding elections and are committed to ensuring that all elections are conducted fairly and impartially."

During the May 2005 election, former Bradford returning officer Philip Robinson referred 252 cases of possible election fraud to the police. In April 2006, West Yorkshire Police passed files on 11 men and two women to the CPS following its investigation in Bradford.