Four London Labour figures are charged over probe into alleged vote rigging

By RORY TINGLE, HOME AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT Published: 11:51, 21 April 2026 | Updated: 11:55, 21 April 2026 Four Labour figures have been charged after a criminal investigation into alleged vote rigging in London.  Joel Bodmer, 40, Shila Bodmer, 41, Gabriel Leroy, 24, and former Croydon councillor Carole Bonner, 69, have been charged with computer misuse.  The Met probe followed claims the Labour Party database was manipulated to increase a candidate's chance of being selected to run for Croydon East in the 2024 general election. Mr Bodmer, an organiser for trade union Unison who was the prospective candidate for the seat, is also charged with perverting the course of justice after allegations phone records were changed.  Labour had to suspend the selection process in the south London seat in 2023 after complaints about party members' contact details being altered. Phone numbers were allegedly also changed and fake email addresses submitted, preventing some hopeful candidates from contacting specific Labour members in the run-up to the vote.  The Met Police began an investigation in March 2024. Joel Bodmer, 40, was one of the Labour candidates to stand for the Croydon East seat in the 2024 general election  The Met said today: 'The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised charges against four people after an investigation by the Met's Cyber Crime Unit into allegations that a Labour Party database was manipulated to increase a candidate's chances of selection in Croydon. 'The individuals have been charged with conspiracy to commit an offence contrary to Section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977 and Section 3 of the Computer Misuse Act 1990: 'Joel Bodmer is also charged with perverting the course of justice.' Frank Ferguson, Head of the Crown Prosecution Service's Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: 'Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring this case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings. 'We have worked closely with the Metropolitan Police Service as it has carried out its investigation. 'We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against these defendants are active and that they have the right to a fair trial. 'It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.' Mr Bodmer withdrew from the race after complaining of suffering 'abuse' during the selection process.  Natasha Irons won the selection and was elected the Labour MP for Croydon East. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.