NO FORMAL complaint has been made into the result of a Tameside local election that has found itself under scrutiny in the Labour WhatsApp furore.
But The Correspondent has been told police are ‘aware’ of the talk.
Statements in the now notorious group Trigger Me Timbers – which saw Denton MP Andrew Gwynne sacked as a health minister and suspended from the Labour Party, along with his colleague in Burnley, former Audenshaw councillor Oliver Ryan – has raised questions about the 2021 poll in the latter town.
Claim of votes being ‘found’ in the comments, plus a suggestion 83 were, have raised eyebrows.
In that election, sitting councillor Teresa Smith defeated Conservative Danny Mather by 82 votes.
Stalybridge South Cllr Liam Billington, who claims to have reviewed the entire log of messages, said: “The integrity of elections is fundamental to public trust in democracy.
“There must be serious consequences, including criminal charges.”
However, when approached by The Correspondent, Greater Manchester Police said there has been no formal report.
They are, however, aware of the speculation.
A spokesperson said: “It is something we are aware of, but we have not received a report in relation to this at the moment to take further action.”
The Correspondent understands any formal complaint over an election result must be made to the police, rather than Tameside Council, and would have to be backed by evidence.
There have been closer recent results. Cllr Leanne Feeley clung on to her Dukinfield/Stalybridge seat in the same year by 13 votes following a full recount.
And Conservative Andrea Colbourne was elected in Hyde Godley in 2023 after drawing lots following a dead heat.
However, it is thought the council is confident the 2021 result was valid and stood.
And a Tameside Council spokesperson said: “The integrity of elections is always held with the utmost seriousness.
“There are rigorous and clear legal steps in place to deal with any concerns and complaints raised.
“The council would always want to see electoral integrity upheld.”