Northern Ireland election 2023: DUP accuses Sinn Fein of fraudulent election activity - PSNI and Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council investigate

The allegations first became official when they were lodged with Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.A spokeswoman for the council told the News Letter on Wednesday that it had received "a number of complaints alleging fraudulent subscription of the nomination papers for a candidate".

She added: "Advice was sought from the Electoral Office and the Council’s legal representatives. The complainants have been advised that there are two avenues open to them; they can report the incident to the police and/or, if applicable, following the election they can contest the lection via an Election Petition."

The PSNI confirmed that it has been asked to investigate.

A spokesperson said: "Police are investigating reports of fraudulent activity in relation to an electoral form in the Antrim and Newtownabbey area. Enquiries are ongoing."

Asked for clarification on the case, the spokesperson added: "Police are examining the report to establish if there are any offences."

DUP MP Jim Shannon made more detailed allegations about the case in the House of Commons on Thursday afternoon.He said: "When nominations closed for the Northern Ireland local government elections, I became aware that a man listed as one of the proposers of Gerard Magee in Ballyclare was the victim of identity fraud by Sinn Fein.

"The victim met the CEO of Antrim council, and has established that his identity had been stolen. He was fraudulently listed as a proposer on the nomination papers of Sinn Fein's Gerard Magee.

"Purportedly, this includes the act of forging the signature of the victim on official nomination papers.

"For clarity the victim doesn't know Gerard Magee and did not sign his nomination papers. The problem occurs Mr deputy speaker because this matter cannot be investigated until the election is over.

"So can you Mr Deputy Speaker advise me on how I can best stand up for democracy in this case in advance of polling day as it can't be answered before then."

The Deputy Speaker replied: "I thank the honourable gentleman for informing the chair that he wished to raise this matter as a point of order, but as he is fully aware, it is not in fact a matter for the chair.

"More importantly, given that the actions that he describe are potentially criminal, I think it would be inappropriate for me or indeed anyone else in the chair to seek to preempt or interfere with what might become a judicial inquiry. I'm afraid I can't help the honourable gentleman further."

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council said that an election petition, which may be used by the complainants to address their concern, can be submitted to a court after an election.

The Electoral Office said it does not have any legal power to investigate allegations of fraud on a nominations papers, which is a PSNI matter.

Sinn Féin spokesperson said: “Sinn Féin nominations for the Ballyclare DEA in the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council were submitted in full compliance with the Electoral Office rules.”