Police probe election fraud allegation after Paul Nuttall denies he was pretending to live in Stoke Police are to investigate an allegation of election fraud following claims that the Ukip leader Paul Nuttall was not living […]

Police are to investigate an allegation of election fraud following claims that the Ukip leader Paul Nuttall was not living at the address on his nomination forms for the Stoke-on-Trent Central by-election.

It follows claims that Mr Nuttall was not residing at a house on Oxford Street in the constituency when he announced that he was standing in the election.

A spokesman for Staffordshire Police said today: “We have received a report of an allegation of election fraud in the Stoke Central by-election on Thursday, February 23. Officers will be investigating the circumstances.”

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Empty home?

Channel 4 News’ Michael Crick claimed yesterday that Mr Nuttall had never been to the address in Oxford Street.

He tweeted a picture he said was taken through the letterbox of the property, claiming to show a bare hallway.

Inside the empty Stoke house which Paul Nuttall claimed is his "home", and which will appear on ballot papers as such pic.twitter.com/RR7upTW2Ek — Michael Crick (@MichaelLCrick) February 1, 2017

The Labour MP for Stoke-on-Trent North, Ruth Smeeth, said in a statement: “The shocking allegations that Paul Nuttall has been using an empty house as his official address raise serious questions about his fitness for public office.

“There would be no reason to do this except to deliberately mislead the people of Stoke-on-Trent about where he actually lives. He should be open and honest about this.”

But a spokesman for Ukip yesterday described Labour’s statement as “hot air” that showed his opponents feared losing at the polls.

No intention to deceive

Ukip said there had been no intention to deceive anyone and that Mr Nuttall was using the property in the Penkhull area of Stoke-on-Trent as a place to live ahead of the poll.

A spokesman said the address “was rented before close of nominations on January 31.

“Now he’s formally a candidate and the campaign is under way, Mr Nuttall finally has an opportunity to move in, which he will do tonight”, he said.

“If he’s successful he will find a permanent home in the constituency.”

We have received a report of an allegation of election fraud in the Stoke Central by-election on Thursday, February 23. Officers will be investigating the circumstances. Staffordshire Police statement

Under election rules, a candidate’s home address does not need to be in the constituency where they are standing.

But it is a serious offence to include false information about an address of a candidate in nomination papers and could invalidate an election. Offenders can face an unlimited fine or six months in prison.

Police investigation would not stop election

Once accepted and declared, a valid nomination cannot be challenged other than by an election petition after the election has taken place.

It is understood no objections were received and Mr Nuttall’s nomination was accepted as valid by the Returning Officer and the by-election will proceed.

Any investigation by the police would not prevent the election going ahead.

A spokeswoman for the Electoral Commission said: “It is an offence under s65A of the Representation of the People act 1983 to knowingly provide false information on a nomination paper, and it is for the police to investigate this type of offence.

“We have been in touch with Staffordshire Police and we are aware that they are investigating the circumstances of an allegation relating to the Stoke Central by-election.”

A spokesman for Stoke-on-Trent City Council said: “We follow guidance from the Electoral Commission which is the independent body which oversees how elections are administered, and are following their advice in relation to this matter.”