Postal votes row: MP demands Tory apology over unfounded election claims

Officers defended their investigation – sparked by allegations from defeated Tory candidate Philip Allott – and said they would again investigate thoroughly if any new evidence comes to light.

Chief Superintendent Alan Ford, divisional commander for Calderdale Police, took personal interest in the case because of the "potentially serious nature" of the allegations and said: "The principle allegation that has received much attention is that 26 addresses were subject of electoral fraud due to postal votes being cast from them when they were allegedly unoccupied.

"Officers have visited all but one of these addresses and found absolutely no evidence of fraud, thus negating the notion of an organised conspiracy involving the different properties."

Halifax's Labour MP Linda Riordan said: "There were no facts behind what was reported to the police.

"It's been a complete waste of police time and for the past six months a lot of my time has been spent fighting these allegations. I want an apology from Philip Allott and the Tory party."

Roger Simpson, chairman of the Tories in Halifax, called for new legislation to tighten the voting system and said: "We are disappointed that certain witnesses have decided to withdraw their statements and that despite evidence of people voting from empty properties in the general election, there is insufficient evidence at this stage to warrant any successful prosecutions."