BNP candidates under fire

| Thursday, 27 April 2006 Source: Wimbledon Guardian

Two local council election candidates are being investigated by police following allegations that they have committed electoral fraud.

British National Party candidates John James Clarke, standing in the St Helier ward, and David Robin Clarke, for the Ravensbury ward, are being scrutinised following an investigation by the Evening Standard and the anti-nazi group Searchlight which said neither men lived or worked in the borough, as required by law.

A Merton Council spokesman said: "We are aware that two candidates running for seats in the forthcoming local election have supplied an address that neither candidate appears to reside at.

"Legally the returning officer is obliged to accept the nominations as valid submissions. However, Merton Council believes this type of practice discredits the democratic process and we have taken steps to refer this matter to the Metropolitan Police."