Police find no evidence of criminality in Gorton and Denton byelection

Reform UK had asked officers to investigate claims of ‘family voting’ after losing contest in Greater Manchester Police have found no evidence of criminality in the Gorton and Denton byelection after claims by Nigel Farage that it was “a victory for cheating”. Reform UK had asked Greater Manchester police (GMP) to investigate allegations of corrupt voting in the Greater Manchester contest, which the Green party won. The election observers’ group Democracy Volunteers said it had witnessed “concerningly high levels” of so-called family voting, where one family member dictates how others cast their ballot. However, GMP said on Friday its investigation had found “no evidence of any intent to influence or refrain any person from voting”. Four observers from Democracy Volunteers had given accounts to police of about 32 potentially suspicious voting habits. These include instances in which more than one voter goes into a booth at the same time, and people looking over the shoulder of voters. However, GMP said the volunteers had not alleged any verbal instruction or physical conduct that indicated one person was directing or coercing another about how to vote. The force said this was a “cr