A FORMER Green Party candidate has been accused of trying to infiltrate the Labour Party — to vote in the leadership election.

Keith Cocker, who has previously stood for the Greens in both borough and town council elections in Horwich, has apparently had his bid to register as a Labour supporter rejected after being branded as “hostile” by the party.

The Bolton News has seen documents from the Labour Party indicating that Mr Cocker, of Trevarrick Court, Horwich had registered as a party supporter in the Horwich North East Ward.

But communications from the Labour leadership team, also seen by this newspaper, indicate that the former Green candidate has since had his status rejected as the party believes him to be a “hostile supporter.”

In response to the accusations, Mr Cocker said: “I am not prepared to comment either way — which political party one supports is a private matter.

“I will say I am extremely disappointed but not surprised that rather than take this up with me directly, someone has gone through the press.

He added: “The process (to sign as a Labour supporter) was open for anyone to join and they were simply asked to subtract to a vague statement agreeing to the principles of the Labour Party.”

Bolton’s Green Party leader Alan Johnson said he knew nothing about the alleged move by Mr Cocker and said he was “shocked and surprised” by the news.

He said: “I don’t have access to the party membership records but as far as I am aware Mr Cocker is still a member of the Greens.

“The party guidelines are very clear that you do not try to elect the leader of a different party.”

He said many Green Party members sympathise with the views of the left-wing frontrunner for the top Labour job, Jeremy Corbyn, but added: “Despite this, the leadership given has been clear and I take a dim view of anyone signing up for a different party.”

Mr Johnson believes the organisation of Labour’s leadership voting process has been “one hell of a mess,” with anyone able to pay £3 to sign up and vote in the election.

Labour councillor for Horwich North East, Cllr Richard Silvester said: “Mr. Cocker’s registered supporter status has been rejected by the national Labour Party so he is now unable to vote in the Labour leadership election. He has been weeded out as a hostile supporter.”

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