WORCESTER MP Mike Foster has been advised to stay tight-lipped after raising questions about a probe into election "irregularities".

West Mercia Police's anti-fraud unit has been called in after claims about voting last May in the All Saints ward.

Allah Ditta was elected to Worcester City Council with a majority of 63, but members of Worcester Labour Party and the ethnic community claimed unauthorised proxy votes were cast while legitimate voters were in Pakistan.

Some voters were able to vote more than once, they also alleged.

'Tarnished'

Mr Foster has urged West Mercia Chief Constable Peter Hampson to say whether the inquiry would result in charges.

"I've had a reply, but I have been asked to keep it confidential because, if the matters got into the public domain, it would hamper the inquiry."

At full council, last night, Coun Francis Lankester - Coun Ditta's election agent - said he felt "tarnished".

"Worcester City Labour party should issue a full apology to me and Allah Ditta," he said.

He has also called on anyone with information to help the police, whose inquiry is "ongoing".