Four Labour Activists Charged Over Croydon East Candidate Selection Database Manipulation
Four Labour Party activists have been charged by police after an investigation into allegations that a party database was manipulated to influence a candidate selection process. The charges stem from an inquiry into the Labour Party's selection for the Croydon East parliamentary seat, a process that was initially abandoned in November 2023 due to alleged irregularities.
Charges Filed Against Former Candidate and Three Others
Joel Bodmer, 40, who sought selection as Labour's candidate for Croydon East, faces a charge of perverting the course of justice, specifically relating to alleged alterations of phone records. Bodmer, alongside his wife Shila Bodmer, 41, former Southend councillor Gabriel Leroy, 24, and former Croydon councillor Carole Bonner, 69, have also been charged with conspiracy to commit offences under the Criminal Law Act and the Computer Misuse Act.
All four individuals have been suspended from the Labour Party pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation. A party spokesperson stated that these are "incredibly serious charges" and confirmed that the matter was referred to the police "as soon as potential criminal wrongdoing was identified."
Joel Bodmer, also a regional organiser for the trade union Unison, is currently on unpaid leave from his position, according to a Unison spokesperson.
Frank Ferguson, head of the Crown Prosecution Service's Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, affirmed that "sufficient evidence" has been established to bring the case to court and that pursuing criminal proceedings is "in the public interest." All defendants are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 19 May. The Crown Prosecution Service has cautioned against any reporting or commentary that could prejudice the active proceedings.
