AN investigation into the finances of a Bolton Labour party is under way amid claims that thousands of pounds is missing from its election pot.

Labour’s regional North West party is carrying out an internal inquiry to uncover if cash has been taken from the Bolton South East Labour Constituency Party’s fighting fund — and if so, to find out where it has gone.

A Labour Party North West spokesman last night confirmed: “There is an internal investigation taking place into alleged financial irregularities at Bolton South East Constituency Labour Party.”

The Bolton News understands that party chiefs are going over the statements of three bank accounts stretching back more than five years.

The investigation was announced at last Monday’s constituency party annual general meeting, but since then officials have been staying tight-lipped.

In 2005, retiring Labour MP Dr Brian Iddon had a majority of 11,638 over Conservative rival Deborah Dunleavy.

The fear now is that if money has been taken from the election fighting fund, the party could be forced to dig deep to pay for an election campaign for his replacement, Yasmin Qureshi.

Police have not yet been informed but the suggestion from inside the Bolton South East Labour Party is that any evidence will be handed over to officers if the probe finds any wrongdoing.

Bolton South East Labour Party treasurer Cllr Sean Hornby, who represents Little Lever and Darcy Lever on Bolton Council, has confirmed the party was looking through accounts, but declined to comment further.

One party member, who did not want to be named, said: “It’s very messy and I don’t think anyone can be sure what is happening.”

andrew.greaves@ theboltonnews.co.uk