Election bribe controversy

The Labour Party in Central Rochdale are a part of a police investigation after a an 'apparent election bribe' was reported. Residents in Central Rochdale were given a leaflet offering free meals from a Labour Councillor. The leaflet, offered to cook a sheltered housing complex a "free curry, by a superb chef" - the chef was the local election candidate.

The leaflet has now been reported by Lib Dem Agent Dave Hennigan under the Election Offences Act 1954.

Councillor Zulf Ali, the Liberal Democrat Agent in Central Rochdale said: "I am not denying that the Labour Candidate's cooking is OK, but to bribe constituents is an electoral offence under the Election Offences Act 1954. We concentrate on action and delivery, not on currying favour with bribes. This just goes to show the level of desperation that Labour will stoop to."

Paul Rowen MP said: "This is clear evidence of what we have been saying all along... Labour are clearly bribing people and it is unacceptable. This is something that they have got away with for far too long and I am glad this

is the subject of a police investigation. It clearly breaks the rule of "treating", effectively bribing people."