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Reform councillor arrested over election papers
Police are investigating an allegation that Ryan Coogan made false statements on a candidate nomination paper, which can carry an unlimited fine or prison term.
On September 24, Cambridgeshire Police arrested 42-year-old Reform councillor Ryan Coogan on suspicion of making false statements in nomination papers; he was released on bail to return to Milton Police Station on December 22.
Coogan was elected to Huntingdonshire District Council in May as part of a Reform surge and now serves as the Reform group leader on the council, which operates under a Liberal Democrat-led coalition.
According to the Electoral Commission, knowingly making a false statement on a nomination paper is a criminal offense punishable by an unlimited fine or up to one year's imprisonment; police have not disclosed the nature of the alleged statements.
Earlier in September, Coogan told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire he was unaware of investigation specifics, adding he has "always been and will continue to be happy to help police with their inquiries."
Huntingdonshire District Council stated it would be inappropriate to comment on the ongoing police investigation; Coogan also finished second in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough mayoral election last year.