Cardiff Labour candidate faces police investigation over their home address

Following a referral by Cardiff Council’s Electoral Registration Officer, the police are investigating one of the city’s Labour council candidates over allegations that he provided a false home address for use on the ballot papers.

Luke Holland gave as his address a property that he moved out of last year. However, that old address is in the ward where he is standing and his current address is outside the ward. Mr Holland does not deny the crux of the allegations, having told the media:

It is true that I currently rent a flat in a neighbouring ward – a fact that I have never hidden – while my wife and I go through the exciting process of finding a house to buy in Splott.

Rather weirdly the Labour Party’s defence of their candidate includes this:

The Lib Dems have flouted the normal process.

In fact, the Liberal Democrats queried the situation with the council, who then decided to call in the police. That is a pretty normal (and sensible) process to follow in such circumstances.

UPDATE: “Police say no crime has been committed by a Labour local election candidate who was accused of submitting the wrong address when nominated to stand.” (BBC)