A Tottington independent councillor was shocked when she was summoned to a police interview after being accused of "election malpractice".

Cllr Yvonne Wright sad she was interviewed at Bury Police Station on Friday, October 7 along with Dr Shadman Zaman after a complaint was made against them about alleged "election financing and malpractice" and being accused of failing to submit a declaration at the May local elections.

Cllr Wright has served Tottington for more than 22 years and left the Conservative Party in February and was elected as an independent councillor in May.

All candidates' paperwork are open to inspection by other political parties, and it appears someone reported Cllr Wright and Dr Zaman to the police.

Dr Zaman had sponsored and supplied receipts for Facebook boosts for Cllr Wright and should have signed a form to verify this.

Both Cllr Wright and Dr Zaman said they do not recall ever being advised to complete this form.

Cllr Wright said: “I was very concerned and shocked at being summoned to be interviewed by the police and immediately arranged an appointment for the following day.

“I was mystified as I knew that I was well within the spending limits allowed and had submitted all receipts promptly the week after the election in May, my paperwork and receipts were checked by a council officer who confirmed that all was in order.”

She added that police were satisfied an admin error had been made.

On social media, Dr Zaman said: “Apparently, there was a lot of 'digging' done before the complaint and a lot of stress created by certain offices and after an investigation by the economic crimes unit, the police have found that no offence or crime was committed, and no criminal activity was undertaken."

Greater Manchester Police said they are unable to provide more information about the case.

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