Tower Hamlets election fraud: Police ready to investigate after Lutfur Rahman ruling

Police say they are ready to investigate corruption in Tower Hamlets after ex-Mayor Lutfur Rahman was found guilty of election fraud.

Following the ruling by the election commissioner at the Royal Courts of Justice, a criminal investigation into the damning findings can be launched.

"We'll take time to fully consider the judgement and then take appropriate action. It's a 200-page report so will take time to digest," a Scotland Yard source told IBTimes UK.

Independent Mayor Rahman was stripped of his office and banned from entering the Town Hall, after Justice Richard Mawrey ruled he made false statements, committed bribery and engaged in corruption during the 2014 local election.

Rahman denied the allegations in a suit brought by four voters and was considering an appeal against the verdict, a representative said.

The verdict on corruption in the inner London borough came only weeks before the general election on 7 May. Measures have been put in place by police to protect the "integrity" of the general election.

"The [police] take allegations of electoral fraud and malpractice extremely seriously and will fully investigate any put to us," said a Scotland Yard spokesman. "We would encourage anyone with concerns in this area to report the matter to their local police."