The Labour Party is being urged to launch a full investigation into allegations of ballot rigging and dirty tricks in the Leicester East constituency of the Minister for Europe, Keith Vaz. Some local activists say the party has failed to deal with complaints about voting irregularities over a ten-year period.
Allegations of serious irregularities first surfaced publicly in 1995 but this programme has learned of a series of complaints stretching over the last ten years. One Labour faction has been accused of rigging the selection of candidates for the local council through a variety of dirty tricks over the last decade.
It's been alleged people have used false addresses and details so they could vote in crucial party meetings. And that some actitivists signed up neighbours and friends as members to vote out political opponents.
Internal documents show how the Party has intervened over the years. But some prominent local members, including a former deputy leader of Leicester City Council, have now urged the party to hold a full inquiry into the allegations. Labour says all complaints have been investigated and action taken when necessary.
