Derbyshire Police investigating claims of electoral fraud

Derbyshire Police have confirmed that they are looking into claims of “electoral fraud” surrounding, it is thought, around campaign materials used by the Conservative candidate for High Peak.

The news comes after Robert Largan, who is defending the constituency, posted an image in Labour on social media website X (formerly Twitter) which said “Labour for Largan” over the weekend.

The image came with some words from Largan, whose majority is just 590, saying: “So many local Labour voters have told me they’re going to vote for me, because they want to keep me as their local MP.

“There have been so many that I’m launching a new Labour for Largan club.”

Largan also issued a second post, in the blue of rivals Reform, which said: “Reform for Robert”.

After receiving several complaints, Derbyshire Police issued a statement saying: “We wish to confirm that we have received a number of messages in relation to claims of election fraud, raised due to concerns around marketing material. An incident has been created and will be reviewed.”

A spokesperson for Largan told Sky News: “As Mr Largan’s social media posts and website make abundantly clear, large numbers of traditional Labour voters have been contacting him to tell him they plan to vote for him, despite him being a Conservative candidate.”

Largan has been in Parliament since the December 2019 General Election.

He describes himself as an “independent-minded moderate” and is a member of the One Nation caucus of Conservative MPs. When asked in an interview why he was a Conservative, he responded that they were the “least worst option.”