Wrexham BNP Candidate Arrested Over Electoral Fraud Allegations

A BNP candidate sitting in both the Wrexham Council and Liverpool mayoral elections was arrested today over allegations of electoral fraud.

Detectives forced their way into Mike Whitby’s house in Coedpoeth, where he is standing to be councillor in the upcoming local elections, after a 6 hour stand off during which he refused to allow them into his home.

Merseyside Police then took him to Wrexham police station for questioning in relation to allegations of making false statements and faking signatures on nomination election papers.

It follows an investigation by the Liverpool Echo that found signatories named on Mr Whitby’s election nomination form for the mayoral elections did not agree to support him.

In order to stand in the elections a candidate requires a proposer, seconder and 28 signatures from voters.

Merseyside Police confirmed that after carrying out enquiries in the Wavertree area of Liverpool over the weekend a 59 year old man from Wrexham was arrested on suspicion of making false statements and faking signatures on nomination election papers.

Both are an offence under Section 65A of the Representation of the People Act.

On their website the BNP claimed that Mr Whitby had been unable to meet police any earlier due to making funeral arrangements for his mother.

Earlier in the month it was revealed that he rented a pigeon shed in Wavertree in order to stand for the Liverpool elections.

His seat as a community councillor in Coedpoeth is also under threat following a complaint to the Adjudication Panel for Wales that Mr Whitby brought his constituency into disrepute after he was arrested for Contempt of Court.