The Metropolitan Police is probing a computer misuse allegation following a data breach during the Labour Party’s parliamentary selection in Croydon East, suspending the process and sparking concern amid pre-election tension.
The Metropolitan Police is currently investigating allegations of “computer misuse” in connection with a data breach during the Labour Party’s parliamentary selection contest in Croydon East, London. The situation arose following the discovery of unauthorized alterations to members’ personal information on the party’s database, leading to a suspension of the selection process in November last year. Complaints were initially raised about the provision of inaccurate data to candidates, prompting an internal inquiry by the Labour Party.
The investigation, carried out by the police’s cybercrime team, was spurred by allegations that surfaced during the selection process, specifically during October and November of the previous year. This incident has attracted attention amid the political tension as Labour and the Conservatives gear up for a potentially forthcoming general election, with some speculation around a snap election.
Joel Bodmer, one of the candidates, withdrew from the contest, citing a “distressing level of abuse” as his reason for stepping down. His withdrawal led to expressions of support from the three remaining candidates and prompted scrutiny from Momentum, a grassroots Labour campaign group, over the incident and the protective measures in place to prevent similar occurrences.
Despite the ongoing police and internal investigations, the Labour Party proceeded with the selection process, conducting email ballots and arranging in-person voting for its members. The Information Commissioner’s Office is also involved, emphasizing the importance of data accuracy and the implications of the breach on future internal processes within the Labour Party. The unfolding situation in Croydon East underscores the challenges political parties face in maintaining the integrity of their internal processes amidst the competitive atmosphere of electoral preparation.
