LABOUR ACTIVIST PLEADS GUILTY TO VOTE RIGGING OFFENCE

Gabriel Leroy, a 24-year-old former councillor in Southend, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit an offence under the Criminal Law Act and the Computer Misuse Act at Southwark Crown Court. The guilty plea relates to allegations that a Labour Party database was manipulated to influence a parliamentary candidate selection process in Croydon. Three other Labour activists entered not guilty pleas and will face trial in February 2029. The charges stem from irregularities discovered during the selection process for Labour's candidate in the Croydon East constituency.

Joel Bodmer, who stood for selection as the party's candidate, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy charges under both the Criminal Law Act and the Computer Misuse Act. Bodmer also pleaded not guilty to a separate charge of perverting the course of justice. His wife, Shila Bodmer, and former Croydon councillor Carole Bonner similarly pleaded not guilty to conspiracy charges. The indictment alleges that Bodmer provided telephone records in which a call to the Labour Party support team had been deleted.

The candidate selection process for Croydon East was abandoned in November 2023 following the alleged irregularities and was re-run four months later without Bodmer's participation. Bodmer's legal representatives stated the defence will argue he had authority to act regarding the computer misuse charge and lacked intent to pervert the course of justice on the second charge. Judge Justin Cole set the trial for 5 February 2029, with proceedings expected to last four to five weeks.