Liverpool elected mayor candidate Mike Whitby released on bail

The BNP candidate standing for elected mayor of Liverpool has been released on bail after being questioned by police over allegations of electoral fraud.

Mike Whitby, who is on Thursday's ballot paper for the directly elected post, was held at his home in North Wales over allegations that signatures on his nomination papers were faked.

Detectives arrived at the house at 7.30am on Monday but the candidate refused to co-operate and officers were unable to detain him until around six hours later.

Merseyside Police said he remains in custody being questioned over alleged electoral fraud by making false statements and faking signatures on nomination election papers.

Detective Superintendent Martin Andrew, of Merseyside Police, said: "Following an allegation that nomination forms for the mayoral elections had been fraudulently filled in, a police investigation was launched.

"Officers conducted extensive inquiries in the Wavertree area of Liverpool over the weekend and interviewed a significant number of people. Following those inquiries and after taking advice from the Crown Prosecution Service, Merseyside Police officers attended an address in the Wrexham area of North Wales at 7.30am to speak to the homeowner about the allegations.

"My officers made repeated attempts to speak to the occupant and, at around 1.30pm today, they arrested a 59-year-old man on suspicion of making false statements and faking signatures on nomination election papers - an offence under Section 65A of the Representation of the People Act.

"The man was taken to a police station in Wrexham where he was interviewed about the allegations. He currently remains in police custody."

The complaint was made to Merseyside Police following an investigation by the Liverpool Echo which reported alleged irregularities in Mr Whitby's nomination papers. A BNP spokesman said Mr Whitby denies the allegations and stands by the names on his nomination form.

There are a total of 12 candidates for mayor in Liverpool this Thursday, including Labour leader Joe Anderson and Liberal Democrat Richard Kemp. Tony Caldeira is the Conservative candidate. Steve Radford from the Liberal Party and John Coyne for the Green Party are also standing.

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