Votes accused stand alone

Feb 15 2005

By Paul Dale, Birmingham Post

Six Birmingham Labour city councillors alleged to have masterminded a campaign of postal vote fraud will face a High Court hearing without legal representation. The Labour Party confirmed last night that London-based law firm Steel and Shamash was no longer acting for the Bordesley Green and Aston ward councillors. The announcement coincided with an admission from Labour that the behaviour of some supporters during the 2004 council elections "may have fallen short of the high standards that the electors have the right to expect". A Labour Party spokeswoman said: "What has become clear in recent court proceedings is that the behaviour of some activists from our own party, and other parties, in these two wards may have fallen short of the high standards that the electors have the right to expect."