Tories urge police to investigate two further Labour Party selections

The Tories have urged police to investigate another two Labour Party selections, according to Sky News:

Tory vice-chairman Bob Neill wrote to Met Police chief Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe about allegations of potential fraud in Ilford North and Lewisham Deptford, both in Greater London.

Labour has already given evidence to police in Scotland relating to claims the Unite union tried to fix the result of a candidate selection in Falkirk by packing the constituency with members, whose subscriptions it paid.

Mr Neill described Falkirk as “the tip of the iceberg”, noting that a leaked Unite document suggested the union was getting involved in candidate choices for the 2015 general election in 41 seats across the country.

In his letter, he said: “I am concerned that this instance is just the tip of the iceberg, as Unite themselves admit they are targeting at least another 40 Labour Party parliamentary selections for similar treatment.

They go on to say that:

“he quoted allegations from a Labour London activist that the union was “bankrolling” a number of campaigns, including in Lewisham Deptford.”

The selection for Lewisham Deptford took place in May, with Vicky Foxcroft selected. The selection for Ilford North has yet to take place.

Update: Labour HQ have hit back at Neill, attacking this as a “silly political stunt” and arguing that they have no evidence of criminal behaviour in other selections. A Labour source told us:

“This is a silly political stunt. We have no evidence of possible criminal behaviour anywhere outside Falkirk. If Bob Neill has, he should produce it. If he has not, he should stop wasting police time.”