Political

Michael Mates faces “electoral poll fraud probe” by the police

The Daily Mirror reports:

Former Tory Minister Michael Mates is being probed for alleged electoral fraud over his attempt to become one of David Cameron’s new police commissioners.

The crony of crooked tycoon and Tory donor Asil Nadir, will be grilled by police over claims he broke election laws by giving a false address to win the lucrative post…

It was sparked by a complaint from rival Don Jerrard, an independent “justice and anti-corruption” candidate fighting Mr Mates for the £85,000-a-year role running the Hampshire force.

The former lawyer wrote to the county’s Chief Constable claiming Mr Mates breached the 2006 Fraud Act by giving his address as a house where he rents rooms in Winchester.

But Mr Jarrard claims Mr Mates, 78, and wife Mary were on the electoral role in neighbouring West Sussex, where they have lived for 15 years, until earlier this year.

Mr Mates last night said police had no choice but to investigate but claimed he was the innocent victim of a smear attempt.

Michael Mates, you may recall, was previously the subject of a fine investigative piece by Michael Crick.

UPDATE: He was subsequently cleared.

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