News
Tory councillor suspended over Walsall electoral fraud claims
A Walsall Conservative councillor has been suspended from his party following allegations of electoral fraud.
Councillor Mohammed Munir has had the Walsall council group whip withdrawn and his membership of the Conservative Party put on hold until an investigation into the allegations is completed, a spokesman for the party confirmed.
Cllr Munir has represented the marginal Palfrey ward since May 2008.
A statement from West Midlands Police said two men, aged 57 and 30, had been arrested in January 2009 following complaints about alleged breaches of the electoral laws.
The statement said: “The Director of Public Prosecutions has given authorisation for legal proceeding to be commenced against two men for providing false information to the Elections Registrar and for falsely applying for proxy votes.”
The statement added both men were from the Walsall area and the alleged offences related to local elections in 2008.
Cllr Munir beat his nearest Labour opponent by 134 votes in a tightly contested fight.
West Midlands’ police said two men were scheduled to appear before court on 21st May.