MP tells of ‘vote fraud’

A furious row erupted today after Shrewsbury’s MP claimed he had received “repeated” allegations that Labour councillors have been involved in electoral fraud.Daniel Kawczynski told the Commons last night there had been accusations of postal voting fraud against certain Labour councillors who worked for the Post Office in his constituency.

But Labour prospective parliamentary candidate (PPC) and Royal Mail employee Jon Tandy today refuted the claims and accused his rival of acting in a “cowardly” fashion.

And a top Labour official said the Tory MP should “consider his position” if the police found there was no case to answer.

Mr Kawczynski told the Commons: “I have received these allegations myself, repeatedly.

“What can I do if they are anonymous?

“That is what my constituents who work for the Post Office are telling me about Labour councillors who work at the Post Office.”

He added: “Now, I find, as I said, that the Labour Party has selected somebody who works at Shrewsbury sorting office to stand against me.

“I am starting to get allegations that he, when he stood to be a councillor was also implicated in various fraudulent practices. I am not saying that - my constituents are,” he told the House.

But Mr Tandy, who is also a borough and county councillor, said: “I have been aware of certain allegations for some time and have actually discussed these with Daniel and my employers at the Royal Mail.

“There’s absolutely no truth whatsoever that I have done anything wrong. But Daniel Kawczynski is obviously scared for his future.

“I’m disgusted that he is behaving in this cowardly way and hiding behind parliamentary privilege.

“I ask that it’s referred to the police so it can be cleared up as soon as possible.”

Regional director of the Midlands Division of the Labour Party Ian J Reilly said: “We are shocked. As far as we are concerned this is nothing more than a political smear by the MP for Shrewsbury.

“These allegations are absolutely unfounded. If Daniel Kawczynski has any evidence then he should refer this matter to the police.

“And when the police find that the allegations are unfounded then we will be asking him to consider his position as a Member of Parliament.”

Alan Mosley, chairman of Shrewsbury and Atcham Labour party and leader of the county council’s Labour group, also called on Mr Kawczynski to make his claims outside the Commons.

“I challenge him to come out publicly and ensure that the allegations are properly investigated.”

By Tom Warren and Sunita Patel