Overview
- Cambridgeshire Police say a man from Waterbeach was arrested on suspicion of making false statements on candidate nomination papers and has been released on bail while inquiries continue.
- The subject of the probe is Ryan Coogan, who leads the Reform UK group on Huntingdonshire District Council and won his seat in May as part of a national surge for the party.
- Coogan has told the BBC he will help police with their enquiries but says he has not been given details of the alleged offence and cannot comment further.
- The Electoral Commission treats knowingly making a false statement on nomination forms as a criminal offence punishable by up to a year in prison or an unlimited fine, though arrest is not a conviction.
- Nomination requires a signed nomination form, a home address form and a consent form, and the police outcome and any prosecutorial decision will determine the case's impact on Coogan and local council business.