Traffic charge election probe

Date published: 30/04/2008

Police may be called in to investigate claims that the owners of the Trafford Centre have tried to influence the result of this week’s local elections.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority has referred the behaviour of congestion charge opponents Peel Holdings to the Electoral Commission, claiming that the giant property company is targeting PTA chairman Councillor Roger Jones - who is one of the leaders of a bid to bring congestion charging to Greater Manchester and is seeking re-election in Salford’s Irlam ward.

A spokesman for the commission, which normally investigates candidates themselves, said: “We may have to refer this matter to the police.”

A PTA meeting was told of claims by a Salford community newspaper that it had a tape of a Peel director allegedly telling Councillor Jones’ political opponents that Peel would release a telephone survey by a market research firm which showed that 60 per cent of people who voted for him at the last election would vote against him if congestion charging was introduced.

The free quarterly newspaper quotes the director as saying at his meeting with unnamed politicians: “It’s almost inconceivable that with a bit of the right sort of publicity he can’t be turfed out.”

But Peel managing director Andrew Simpson said: “We strongly refute the allegation that Peel Holdings seeks to influence any part of the electoral process.

“In the event of any inquiry by the Electoral Commission we will work closely and openly with the commission at all times.”