A former councillor has been jailed for two months for ‘supplying false information’ in order to win a safe Conservative seat.

Richard Smalley, who was elected to Derby City Council in May, claimed he lived in Allestree when his real address was in Borrowash, outside the Derby city boundary.

Mr Smalley pleaded guilty to the charge of ‘Supplying False Information to the Electoral Registration officer’ under s13D Representation of the People Act.

‘Derby City Council acknowledges the outcome of the matter before the Magistrate Court today with regard to Mr Richard Smalley,’ said Derby's returning and electoral registration officer Janie Berry.

‘Our excellent working relationship with Derbyshire Constabulary has resulted in this matter being put before the court that clearly demonstrates our continued commitment to complete transparency in all matters related to elections in the city.’

Tom Hawthorn, head of policy at the Electoral Commission said: ‘The Electoral Commission works with the police and local authorities across the UK before each set of elections to support them putting robust procedures in place to tackle electoral fraud.

‘This case demonstrates that allegations of electoral fraud are taken extremely seriously. Derby City Council and Derby Constabulary have shown that the police and local authorities can and will work together to act on evidence of wrongdoing.’

There will now have to be a by-election in the ward of Allestree which the council estimates will cost £30,000. They are pursuing Mr Smalley for compensation.