The British National Party’s candidate for mayor of Liverpool has been arrested on suspicion faking signatures on his nomination papers.
Mike Whitby (59), who is on Thursday’s ballot paper for the directly elected post, was held by police at his home in north Wales.
Detectives arrived at the house at 7.30am in Wrexham yesterday but the candidate refused to co-operate and officers were unable to detain him until about six hours later.
Merseyside Police said he remained in custody being questioned over alleged electoral fraud by making false statements and faking signatures on nomination election papers.
Det Supt Martin Andrew 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.” – (PA)