On March 18, the Metropolitan Police’s cybercrimes unit announced it had launched an investigation into the Labour Party’s selection process for the new seat of Croydon East. The contest had been suspended following allegations that members’ details had been tampered with — allegations since confirmed by party sources. Joel Bodmer, a candidate on the party’s right, subsequently withdrew before the contest recommenced.

The scandal in Croydon was followed by a jaw-dropping report in the Telegraph suggesting that Labour’s parliamentary selections may have been systematically rigged using Anonyvoter. Anonyvoter is the online voting software used by local Labour Party branches to choose their candidates for the next election.

Leading those complaints is Sam Tarry, the MP for Ilford South and a former shadow minister sacked by Keir Starmer for appearing on a picket line. Tarry, who was deselected in October in favor of a candidate from the party’s right, has since submitted an official complaint to Labour. He alleges tampering with membership lists, raises concerns that the Anonyvoter system was misused in his deselection, and has even threatened legal action against the party.