Candidate details concern

COUNCILS have no power to check information provided by local election candidates, it has been revealed.

Returning officers, such as Oldham Council’s Charlie Parker, have no powers to investigate any information submitted by candidates.

Any claims of false information or possible election fraud must be investigated by police.

The matter came about following concerns raised to Oldham Council by Saddleworth Parish Councillor Ken Hulme.

He claimed Spring House Farm in Huddersfield Road, the address provided by fellow Parish Council candidate Louie Hamblett, did not exist.

However, Mr Hamblett, said the address has existed since the 1700s but is known as the Saddleworth Hotel.

He said: “My grandfather owns the hotel and I’ve grown up there, but Saddleworth Hotel is the business name, not the name of the farm. It’s not appropriate to use a business name as opposed to the farm name.”

Mr Parker said: “The Returning Officer cannot investigate any statement given. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that information is correct.”