Sinn Féin: No cost of 'faux' electoral signature

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There will likely be no prosecution after the “fake signature” allegedly used on nomination papers for a Sin Fen election candidate.

The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) has determined to not prosecute the case after police investigation on fees of fraud.

It was alleged that in 2023, the Elections stood for Entrims and Newtownbabby Boro Council, which used faux signatures on nomination papers for Gerrard Maggi.

But PPS said that “the available evidence was insufficient to provide a reasonable possibility of punishment”.

A file reported three folks – none of which have been Sri Maggi – Was despatched to PPS In April final yr by the police service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

Mr. Maggi was a failed candidate for the celebration within the Balliclair area throughout the native authorities elections in 2023.

During the marketing campaign, it emerged that the council obtained complaints alleging “fraud membership” relating to their nomination papers.

The allegations have been talked about in Parliament by Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MP Jim Shannon.

He informed the MPs that an individual listed as one of many proposers of Mr. Maggi was “the victim of identity fraud”.

“For clarity, the victim does not know Maggi and has not signed his nomination papers,” the MP of Strangford mentioned within the Commons.

The council sought recommendation from the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland and PSNI launched an investigation.

Police offered a file to PPS belonging to a few folks in April 2024. Mr. Maggi was not one of many reported folks on the file.

In an announcement, PPS mentioned that the file “told a person in connection with the allegations that a fake signature on a nomination papers was used”.

The file additionally informed two different folks “regarding the allegations that they had given a report to the police in relation to the case”.

A PPS spokesman mentioned, “In relation to the three,” it was decided that the out there proof was insufficient to offer an inexpensive risk of punishment “.

He mentioned, “Taking all selections on this file was accomplished independently, impartially and for prosecutors,” he mentioned.

“All sides have been knowledgeable concerning the final result of the concept.”

Sin Fen and Mr. Maggi were contacted for comment.

When the police investigation started in the previous statement, Sin Fen said that its nominations for the Balliclair area were “offered in full compliance with the election workplace guidelines”.

With inputs from BBC

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