Convicted vote rigger denies being part of Peterborough Labour Party campaign team

Tariq Mahmood, who was jailed in 2008 for postal vote interference, was photographed over the weekend with party activists who were holding ‘Vote Labour signs’.

The photo has since gained wider attention and led to allegations from the chairman of the Peterborough Conservative Association that Mr Mahmood is part of Labour’s campaigning team ahead of next week’s elections - a claim denied by Labour.

Asked for his response, Mr Mahmood said he was out in Lincoln Road and Windmill Street on Saturday as he was looking to get a hair cut.

He told the Peterborough Telegraph: “There were people standing there with a couple of boards and I had a picture with them. 

“I am 100 per cent not part of their campaign.”

Mr Mahmood has previously attended election counts and been present at events, including a visit from then Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in 2019.

Labour said: “Mr Mahmood is not a member of the Labour Party. He does not have a role within our campaign and he is not permitted to have access to Labour Party data or technology. We have robust systems in place to protect the integrity of the vote.”

Cllr Wayne Fitzgerald, Peterborough Conservative Association chairman and deputy leader of Peterborough City Council, said: “Voters should have 100 per cent confidence in our electoral system and be certain that everything is above board.

“Sadly, here in Peterborough it seems that is not the case as once again a convicted vote fraudster is seemingly involved in election campaigning for the Labour Party.”

On May 6, 23 out of 60 seats on the council are being contested, while elections are also being held to be the next police and crime commissioner and metro mayor.