Readers will remember the OnTheWight report last week where Chair of Isle of Wight Conservatives, Alan Wells, accuses a UKIP candidate of falsifying a nominee on his electoral nomination forms.
The accusation resulted in a blast from Nigel Farage, head of UKIP who accused the Conservative Chairman of a smear. This led to a subsequent retort from Mr Wells, who accused Farage of a ‘knee-jerk’ reaction.
Police investigating allegations
Police have confirmed today (Wednesday 24th April) that they have now received “allegations of the falsifying of signatures on electoral nomination papers from more than one member of the public”.
They say that initial enquiries are continuing to establish whether there is evidence to suggest a criminal offence could have been committed.
OnTheWight has requested a comment from UKIP and will update this report once we hear back from them.
Update 15.27
A UKIP spokesman said “Mr Wilkins has been informed that the police have been contacted however they have yet to speak to him regarding these allegations which he insists are false.
“This is a very hurtful situation for him and his family and we ask that the police are allowed to deal with the matter without unnecessary external influences.”
Image: Siri Hardeland under CC BY 2.0
