A Ukip candidate is to be questioned by the police over allegations he tried to influence voters by handing out sausage rolls.
Kim Rose, who is standing in Southampton Itchen, told the BBC he has been asked to report to a police station in Hampshire on Monday over claims of “treating”.
Rose gave away the baked goods during a local community centre event held in February, which also featured an appearance by snooker star Jimmy White.
Kim Rose says he will be questioned over allegations of 'treating'
He told the BBC: “It was a fantastic day. We laid on teas, coffees, sandwiches and some sausage rolls. Now I’ve been reported for allegations of treating.
“Maybe it’s a bit naïve but all the intentions were good.
“It’s absolutely ridiculous. I’m sure people aren’t going to change their mind [over voting] for a sausage roll.”
Sausage rolls
(1)A person shall be guilty of a corrupt practice if he is guilty of treating.
(2)A person shall be guilty of treating if he corruptly, by himself or by any other person, either before, during or after an election, directly or indirectly gives or provides, or pays wholly or in part the expense of giving or providing, any meat, drink, entertainment or provision to or for any person—
(a)for the purpose of corruptly influencing that person or any other person to vote or refrain from voting; or
(b)on account of that person or any other person having voted or refrained from voting, or being about to vote or refrain from voting.
(3)Every elector or his proxy who corruptly accepts or takes any such meat, drink, entertainment or provision shall also be guilty of treating.
Ukip leader Nigel Farage has dismissed the incident, telling Sky News: “I just think this is utter nonsense.
"There are all sorts of cases in politics of people behaving badly and doing things wrong, abusing their positions. Handing out a few sausage rolls I don’t think really counts as one of those."
Hampshire Constabulary said in a statement: "We have a received an allegation of 'treating' by a prospective parliamentary candidate, contrary to the Representation of the People Act 1983.
"We are looking into the complaint. No arrests have been made."