Election fraudster - council leader Iain Malcolm
Mr Monkey would like to take readers back to April 2000.
Councillor Iain Malcolm was up for re-election and it was widely believed that he faced a tough fight against Patricia Piggott, a strong Conservative candidate.
Many people including Iain Malcolm believed that he would lose his seat to the Conservative so he decided to take matters into his own hands and rig the ballot to ensure he won and there was no better way to do this than by manipulating the postal vote – Labour’s recently introduced new election fixing tool.
Councillor Iain Malcolm ensured that every elderly person in his ward was registered to vote and encouraged them to vote by post. He assured them that there was nothing complicated about the process especially as he and his associates would be on hand to fill the ballot papers in for them and even offered to post them on their behalf.
Councillor Iain Malcolm particularly targeted care homes, sheltered accommodation and OAP bungalows. As a sitting councillor no council employee was going to deny him access so he was free to come and go as he pleased.
As the election was nearing its climax, councillor Iain Malcolm was increasingly worried about the reaction on the doorstep and decided that it was time for drastic intervention otherwise he would lose his seat.
Around the same time the sitting MP for South Shields, Dr David Clarke was planning to retire at the next general election which was due to be held within the next year or so.
The only problem was that councillor Iain Malcolm had been selected to sit on the Parliamentary panel and was likely to be selected to replace Dr Clarke as Labour’s parliamentary candidate at the forthcoming election – something Dr Clarke was desperate to avoid, he even raised the matter with the then Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Dr Clarke despised everything Iain Malcolm stood for, he didn’t trust him and questioned his integrity. It wasn’t long before Dr Clarke was proved right.
Prior to polling day councillor Iain Malcolm instructed all Labour party members in Horsley Hill to go around people’s homes collecting any postal voting envelopes that hadn’t been posted on the pretext of “we’ll post them for you”. But instead of posting them he asked his supporters to hand them over to him.
A crucial part of Iain Malcolm’ strategy was to ensure that the postal votes from care homes, sheltered accommodations and OAP bungalows were collected in person. He entrusted this task to an unsuspecting Labour party member called Tom Taylor. He told him to take all the envelopes to his house and that he would come and collect them later.
After he had collected them he called Iain Malcolm to tell him that he had finished his task and that they were at his house awaiting collection. Shortly after Iain Malcolm arrived.
Tom’s wife Mary, asked Iain Malcolm to step inside the house and when he saw that Tom was as good as his word and had collected a large number of envelopes he sat down and started to sort through them. Then to the total and utter dismay of these life long Labour supporters he started to open the envelopes in their front room and removed the ballot papers. Any votes for Labour were returned to the envelope and resealed for posting and any votes for Pat Piggott, the Conservative candidate were destroyed.
In the early hours of May 5th the election result was announced and as people had predicated it was a close run thing. Iain Malcolm was declared the winner with 785 votes with Pat Piggott polling 709 votes, a difference of just 76 votes.
Iain Malcolm celebrated his victory by announcing to a handful of associates that he had cheated Pat Piggott out of victory by destroying her votes and said that he’d done what he’d needed to do to ensure that no Tory took his seat.
WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Part 2 of this disgraceful act of betrayal will follow shortly.
UPDATE: Saturday 28th March at 10.35am
Yesterday was a record breaking day for Mr Monkey’s Blog with 4,163 hits being recorded. Bloggers also helped set an all time record for the highest number of hits on a single post.
UPDATE DATE: Friday 27th March at 20.55pm
Apparently Mr Monkey’s blog was mentioned at yesterday’s meeting of the full council and by all accounts it caused quite a stir. Some councillors appeared to want a hole to open up and swallow them. Others managed to raise a wry smile but sadly one or two just sat there with a blank expression on their face.
MR MONKEY 
Am I surprised by these revelations? Sadly not. The Malcolm’s have long been associated with ballot irregularities, but nobody in the past has had the tenacity or balls to put pen to paper.
This whole affair casts a shadow over the Council’s explanation re the missing ballot boxes in 2008.
Ian Malcolm has tarnished decades of hard work by committed political activists, whose only aim was to improve the lives of those who live in this Borough, regardless of their political persuasion.
He should go to jail for his actions.
This is the opportunity for us to challenge shields gazette to publish this … Great as mr m was there first and that if we all lobby the gazette, or if mr m started a petition.. Papa john would also look very biased if he did not respond to a LONG list of names…. how’s about it???
Despite the fact that you have exposed a very serious case of electoral fraud, worthy of national attention, your fellow Borough bloggers have been very silent on the issue.
Rossinisbird, well he’s never said anything worthy of attention.
Tyne Dock Green, he’s to busy greasing his own ego to pay the matter any attention.
David MacLean, well David, you missed this one didn’t you. He wouldn’t dare comment – it would cost him his job.
The only one left is Herr Rigg over at his Corner Shop. Forever the perpetrator of verbal diarrhoea, he has said nothing – and why would he? He has been in the pocket of the Malcolm’s for years.
Two sets of frauds have been exposed tonight – Ian Malcolm and his cohorts for reducing this Borough to the stature of a banana republic, and your fellow local bloggers for not having the honour or moral culpability to highlight this insult to the democratic process.
Well done Mr Monkey, you have served this Borough well.
As for the rest, shame on you – you are cowards with no conviction and you speak for no one.
There isn’t anything to add, except to say thank you Mr Primate for your (hopefully continuing) work, and thank you to the three commentators above.
We knew that this sort of thing was allegedly going on, but neglected to sustain those people challenging it. Remember the days before the Gazette sold itself to the Council Leader?
It is not long since those infamous ballot boxes disappeared, and the Borough ought now to be collectively ashamed for allowing it to happen.
The saying is that – by neglecting your politics, you get the governance which you deserve.
Although – perhaps there is just one thing – people of South Tyneside, realise that you can go a long way towards cleaning up your Borough by using your vote wisely in 2010.
I keep wanting to say – doesn’t our Leader have mad, staring eyes. All the better with which to spy on you. What did happen to the big bad wolf?
To say I’m shocked by these revelations is an understatement. I think it’s time the police were asked to investigate this matter and if I were Pat Piggott I would be asking the Conservative party to make a formal complaint to the Chief Constable.
Councillor Malcolm should step aside until these allegations have been investigated, we can’t have a corrupt councillor leading our council.
I know some of his story to be true. I was also aware of a council employee and Labour supporter who was sent in his own car to ‘ferry’ elderly residents to the ballot boxes if they were known Labour voters.
It stinks.
I wonder how many hits you got yesterday Mr Monk?
Keep up the good work.
Because no one else has the balls to do it.
Irene I’ve just had a quick look and it seems there’s was a great deal of great deal of interest yesterday with the blog receiving a total of 2,542 hits – not bad after a 7 day absence. But today there’s a massive spike in hits with 871 logged already.
This is shocking news and is an afront to our democracy, he should face criminal charges.
so mr mr…. where do we go next in lobbying the gazette to be a real paper and publish this!!!!
To Tory Voter.
It is up to ALL of us to ensure that our great leader with the mad, staring (and possibly guilt-ridden eyes) is brought to book. Mr Primate’s story is but the tip of the iceberg.
Possibly one word comes to mind about the Malcolm family – Mafia!
Malcolm is universally disliked – a well-organised campaign would easily unseat him in 2011.
Newcastle Airport – Missing Ballot Boxes – misappropriated postal votes – bullying – spinning in Council – the list could go on and on, but it would always end with a verdict of “apparent corruption.”
Shame on the so-called man (and on his gaggle of robotic sycophants who rarely open their mouths).
Incidentally Mr Tory Voter – why does the self-appointed and lilly livered “leader” of your three Tory musketeers on Council always support Malcolm? Strange isn’t it? Or is it simply “crumbs from the table?”
Finally Mr Primate – it is good to read your input when it is not peppered with Anglo Saxon. It is much more credible without the expletives!
This is a LOCAL blog (not regurgitated chunks of the Telegraph, Mr Rigg) which is becoming mature, and really quite indispensible.
As salacious as this all sounds, I rather suspect the reason why the Gazette (or indeed anyone else come to that) has not raised it is because claims like this require a little more substantiation than a blog post.
Peter you’re right but now they have the names of those involved and it seems they’re willing to speak, we’ll see how far they go.
so mr m, are the gazette gonna talk to you about this… we need this horrible character malcolm overturned!
The Gazette could’nt handle this story even if it wanted to. The Gazette does not do investigative journalism, they leave it for the big boys.
Yes Bill Cooke you are so-so right.
However, they have been forced into publishing a couple of letters today from disenchanted Residents of Malcolm’s fiefdom – Horsley Hill Estate.
I’m not partisan, but well done Councillor Finch!!!
The editor of the Gazette, apparently held in subservience by the leader with the mad, staring eyes, will be called into that room in the clock tower of the Town Hall, to have his rear quarters severely caned.
This is not the only ward this was done inn.
In 2003 the same method was applied in another ward and the councillor involved
is very close to Cllr Malcolm.
Then who’s going to be the first to do this? I suspect we all know (I certainly do) how much stench emanates from this authority – and the lengths they will go to to protect themselves.
A telephone call and/or email to the Standards Board for England is but a few moments away. As is Tyne Tees television news, of course…
Just a thought!
I like the idea… We certainly cannot let it go at all….
Let’s cut to the chase – we should all refer the allegations to the Electoral Commission and ask the police to investigate the matter. As democratic residents of this Borough, we have a duty to do so. Malcolm cannot be allowed to get away with such a blatant case of election fraud because we were happy to “twitter” away with our key boards.
Talking of twits and fraudsters – what an idiot Herr Rigg is at his “Ecke Geschaft” (its German for Corner Shop). It is self evident why Mr Monkey cannot approach the police himself.
Tawdry?
More like kettle – pot – black.
You were beaten to the punch Graham, and it stings. You have been well aware of the rumours surrounding Malcolm for years. You did nothing about it because he fed you tit bits to puff up the dross on your blog.
When Malcolm falls on his own sword, I wonder who will be impaled with him? Perhaps your other side kick, main confidante and public fraudster, David Potts?
The Old Eagle. I totally agree with you.
To Dare to be a Daniel.
There’ll also be big daft George Elsom, a.k.a. Dusty Bin and Malcolm sycophant.
Unfortunately, litigation is expensive. However, facts are being gathered.
APRIL 2009 sees the publication of the accounts at Newcastle Airport A.G.M.
MAY WILL BE A GOOD MONTH – during 2010 and 2011!!!
Who said that all publicity is good publicity? Advertise the Mr Monkey blog, far and wide.
To Nancy.
I think that you are wonderful too.
And – 23 comments – well done Mr Primate. You have hit pay-dirt – (or certainly cumulative so-called Labour dirt with which South Tyneside has been contaminated for far too long)!!!
For 35 years I’ve been a Labour supporter and I’ve heard many stories but never believed them. There have always been rumours about vote fixing but nothing like this has ever come out in the open before. If what you are saying is right I’m ashamed to say that I vote Labour.
Roy
No need to feel ashamed – there are many of us in the same boat.
This lot in the Town Hall are NOT Labour. They masquerade under the name. Any interests which they have are wholly in themselves, and how to hang on to their pay-cheques.
Much the same goes for the lot down at Wewstminster.
Once, there was a thing called Socialism, which was swallowed up by Wilson and then Blair, and the disease has spread to the Local Parties.
Sorry!!!
The blame lies with all of us, for not attending the Full Council Meetings each month, at Shields T%own Hall.
Mr Monkey have you e.mailed this article to any senior Conservative party officials?
For years people have wondered how this incompetent administration have held power and now we know. Mr M you’ve exposed these people for what they really are, well done.
Well done on so many hits. This is in the public interest, and should be investigated to find out whether it is true.
Herr – I have no doubt that this happened and I will be doing everything I can to ensure that council leader Iain Malcolm is held to account for his actions.
Steve – this is just the beginning, believe me there’s worse to come.
Roy – Are you a member of the Labour party?
Tory Voter – I can’t e mail a link to this post as I would risk revealing my identity. But I will be spending most of this weekend posting copies far and wide including the Conservative party’s leadership and campaign team.
Electoral fraud is a criminal act for which one can be imprisoned – never mind fined. If you do have actual evidence of what you’re claiming then pass it on the police. I’m sure the prospect of Malcom languishing in a prison cell would be one that would please you?
At the moment all I see is an unsubstantiated blog post that seems more geared towards generating hits than any real substance.
Lots of noise but very little actual content.
Rather than expecting Mr Primate to do all the work, and to jeopardise himself, we ALL ought to be combining to bring the political governance of this awful Council, and its leadership, to book. There are though, some hard working and efficient Council officers, who also desrve better leadership.
This means realising that we have to take an interest in the political people available in the Borough, and tasking them to remeber that they were elected to support the Residents of S/Tyneside – not themselves.
Several years ago, the Council Leader wrote in his fanzine that he loved politics. Better that he should love the Residents whom he is supposed to serve.
Further, faith or no faith, and whichever culture, those who set themselves up in authority ought to have imprinted on the back of their minds – Matthew Chapter 23 verses 11 & 12.
The rest of us must become politically active, so that we examine critically those people who are coming up for election in 2010 and 2011.
Then we must get out of our comfort zones and vote accordingly. Forget that “my Grandad was Labour.” So was mine, but this doesn’t mean that those people falsly occupying the paces of the old Socialists, carry on their ideals. If they were, there wouldn’t be such a bumper harvest of comments to this particular blog.
We all know that things are festering, and need to be put right.
Go vote next Local Election! And you write to people in Westminster – don’t just take secondary action by expecting Mr Monkey to do it all – at his great risk!!!
now that this has come out does anyone think papa john realises he backed the wrong horse when he banned reporter david mclean from doing any council stories?
You’re absolutely right Peter, election fraud is a serious offence and this time he’s unlikely to get away with covering it up.
As for ‘unsubstantiated’ you couldn’t be further from the truth. The evidence I have gathered is already on its way to the police and it’s for them to decide what they’ll do with it.
And as far as hits are concerned I couldn’t careless how many bloggers visit this site because unlike some other bloggers, I don’t generate any income from my blog nor do I use it promote any other sites I have.
Rather than expecting Mr Monkey to do all the work, thereby jeopardising himself, we ALL ought to be combining to bring the political governance of this awful Council, and its leadership, to book. There are though, some hard working and efficient Council officers, who also deserve better leadership, rather than bullying from the clock tower.
This means realising that we have to take an interest in ALL of the Councillors available in our Borough, and tasking them to remember that they were elected to support the Residents of S/Tyneside – not themselves. This applies particularly to the strange bunch led by the weird Potts, who’s Conservative manifesto appears to be to vote for Labour, willy nilly!.
Several years ago, the Council Leader wrote in his fanzine during Local Democracy week, that he loved politics. Better that he should love the Residents who put him in place, either by purpose, or more likely by neglect, and whom he is supposed to serve!
Further, faith or no faith, and of whichever culture, those who set themselves up in authority ought to have imprinted on the back of their minds – Matthew Chapter 23 verses 11 & 12.
The rest of us must work at becoming politically active and aware, so that we examine critically those people who are coming up for election in 2010 and 2011.
Then we must get out of our comfort zones and vote accordingly. Forget that “my Grandad was Labour.” So was mine, but this doesn’t mean that those people, falsly occupying the places of the old Socialists, carry on the ideals forged out of past hardship. If they were, there wouldn’t be such a bumper harvest of comments to this particular blog.
We all know that things are festering, and need to be put right. There is NO DOUBT that there are questions which need to be answered, and which indeed have been asked, but which obstinately remain unanswered.
Politically, this Council exults in secrecy.
GO VOTE next Local Election! And YOU write to people in Westminster – don’t just take secondary action by expecting Mr Monkey to do it all – at his great risk!!!
It is never too soon, but more often, it can be too late.
This corrupt individual should be suspended by the party with immediate effect and South Shields MP David Miliband should be heading the calls for a full investigation into these allegations.
Mr m’s cause is defo one not for money.. Purely for justice… That is for sure…
I have emailed the full details of the Malcolm families fraudulent actions to:
1. The Sunday Sun
2. Private Eye
3. The Labour Party
4. The Conservative Party
5. The Liberal Party
6. Electoral Commission
7. South Tyneside Police
8. Telegraph/Times/Guardian/Independent
No preference is reflected in the list, but the Times have always given good coverage to election fraud.
I hope the Malcolm’s have a press officer – they are going to need one!
Will he turn up at the Town Hall this week, what do you think Mr Monkey
After a quick look at Councillor Khan’s “twitter” blog, it seems that Graham Rigg at his Corner Shop never really had any faith in free speech. When it comes to attacking coloured people or their religions, its free game. But when it comes to the truth, he doesn’t want to know. He lets “MadMarvin” spew his vile thoughts all over his comment sections, but won’t allow honest South Tyneside people to have their say on his other sites.
Rigg is a right wing bigot who has for to long cast a dishonest shadow over the truth behind local politics in this Borough. He shares a few characteristics with that other defrauder of the public purse, Councillor David Potts, a man who is as corrupt as the Malcolm’s.
When the police charge Ian Malcolm for election fraud, and his sister Ed for helping him, they should also put the little Nazi Ork in the dock.
The charge?
Being a naive BNP dick head!
Mr Woods. Of course cllr malcolme will turn up at the town hall.
He will look you strait into the eyes and say like all politicions I had nothing to do with it or say its just rumours or something like that.
Will the Head of Corporate Governance be concerned about this news as it is the most interesting revelation since the missing ballot boxes ????
OOOOHHH SHIT !!!!
Those mad, staring eyes!!!
Somebody should contact Mr Hepburn and ask him to investigate, The Standards Board will not have the bottle to get involved as usual??
Surely Cllr Malcolm would not be so silly to do such a thing like ballot rigging, or is it just in his Blood?
Might not that somebody be you? Why not be pro-active?
Ann, he is, and yes to the blood. I feel that you know already.
What will out will out.
To change the subject slightly – Councillor Leaske, “close buddy” and colleague of this blog’s subject, and disgraced resigned Governor of Bamburgh S.E.N. School, demonstrated in Full Council the ruling group’s culture, by squealing out – £60 million – that’s nothing!!!
She was referring, of course, to the proceeds of taxpayer’s money, not her own.
Aye i remember it all as if it was yesterday, a prominent high ranking Labour Councillor stuffing postal votes into the post box at Hebburn shopping centre.
I was on the fringes of the Labour party at the time, and if i had a camera with me i would prob be a chauffeur or even a cabinet member now!
But the twat that i caught has since had his fall from grace – twice and it has all but ended his political ambitions.
Mr Monkey I think we should change the nick name of the malcolm brothers from Tweedle dee & tweedle dum TO Fiddle Me & Fiddle You.
Are you still in the Labour party scrub ya nob or did you have the courage of your convictions and leave?
Mr Monkey I`ve just been told about the scandal at Bamburgh court nursing home. I didn`t know the Deputy Matron was a lady called Alison Dunken, Which is the sister of our very own Cllr Malcolm. Could this be why this storey was covered up? Has any one got any info?
JD – I LOVE A DROP OF JACK DANS. AYE 2005 MATE HOWEVER I NEVER LEFT THE LABOUR PARTY IT LEFT ME
UNDER THE BANNER OF NU-LABOUR.
Bring back Mr Waggott
How about the shenanigans at the john wright centre? It would appear that cllr mcmillan, who is on the board, is desperately trying to stop action being taken by adult services against a senior staff member who’s condoned dodgy practice…wouldn’t want sexual abuse of disabled people at the centre you’re involved with to hit the press just as you’re making your move to displace a cabinet member would we?
And what about the Deputy Leader and his apparent prediliction for mamary glands? The subject of his smut would appear to have been moved elsewhere in Malcolm Towers, at what is understood to be a lower salary.
Does anyone else have the feeling that the Labour Government, and the S/Tyneside Labour Council, are both on the brink of unravelling, with money being at the core of their apparent misconduct?
It seems a shame since Baby Brother Ed Malcolm loves to tell us what this Labour Council has achieved.
I might be tempted to think that our vainglorious Great Leader might not wish to awaken tomorrow morning – or alternatively, he may have a pretty awful headache.
However, I couldn’t possibly comment!
Mr Waggott
The Head of Corporate Governance does as he is bidden by Miss Piggy. He would even seem to rewrite the Constitution to fit the needs of the time.
Thus, the Labour Council apparently continues its overlong stay in office by adopting the simple ploy of altering the goal posts as and when needed.
Who facilitates this? Why – it would seem to be the man whom you think will sort out Miss Piggy – the aformentioned Head of Corporate Governance.
Mr Waggott, what’s it like no longer having your strings pulled by Miss Piggy?
With 61 comments, might it be that poor old Iain has aroused a bit of animosity?
Can’t imagine why.
It is known that politics is not for those seeking friends – but – 61 against.
Heavy odds against I would say!
Mr M you said there was more, when can we expect further revelations?
It has been observed that Bamburgh S.E.N. School distributed leaflets to Residents around the school for a meeting at the school timed at 6 p.m. 31 March.
Leaflets were also displayed in the Fountain Inn.
All well and good you might say. The Parents, Teachers and Children deserve to be supported in their battle against this daft Council.
So, is it well and good that our great and heroic leader in the Town Hall clock tower removed all of the leaflets from the Fountain Inn?
He really MUST be Mugabe as you claim, Mr Primate!!!!!! Or perhaps he had schooling in the Eastern Bloc countries prior to their People’s Revolts?
Never mind though Iain – the Police will be interviewing you soon.
I hope that you have a copy of an Independent leaflet entitled Election Fraud? Mr Monk. Which is about 18 ballot boxes going missing after the May’2007 Beacon & Bents local election. The Independants wanted to check that rejected postal votes had been discounted for valid reasons, a genuine request considering that Labour only won by 33 votes.
Just been on the Gazette site and sent a ‘contact us’ message to Mr Symanski… please, everyone, do the same, I have asked him why he is not covering this story and that he is a fallen boy which ever way, as the truth will come out… put the presure on everyone… for Mr M and all honest people.
Oooooh! Councillor Iain. I’ve just read part two of your adventures in South Tyneside’s Mafia Land, and I think that there is going to be some lovely brawn forthcoming after your carcase has been well and truly flayed for all of your naughtiness.
If I were you, I’d lock myself in your clock tower room. You’ll have to live off your fat for a few months, but after that, you’ll not be so attractive as brawn, and as in the past, you might make another daring escape.
Best wishes,
Signed – Frightened Little Piglet.
Whilst I couldn’t possibly comment, I’d like to know your preference in bananas Mr Monkey. You deserve a whole cartload for what you are revealing.
Have always found it very difficult to get interested in politics. But all the ‘revelations’ do not really surprise me.
Do you all remember that Labour began life as a Socialist organisation. Hollow laughter for that ambition. Labour – ‘I’m all right Jack!’
Sadly it’s not just socialists who deviate from promises made, and ideals never seem to be adhered to. Let’s get on the council and cash in on the expenses seems to be the im of too many politicos.
I do vote. as carefully as possible.
Life can’t go back, but all should look forward to a time when people are no longer out for themselves but for others.
Mr Monkey, can I congratulate you on the fine work you are doing for the benefit of all South Tynesiders of which ever political party they support, and try to keep up the good work as long as possible, because to stop now would only allow these people, who are so arrogant as to think they are above the law, to regroup and carry on as if nothing had happened.
I’m with Mr Monkey all the way. It’s great to have blogs like this so they can hold decrepit councilors etc to account. I wish we had more of this type of blog in Scotland to showcase the corrupt/bent Labour led councils.
MR Monkey contact me via my blog admin email.
Brokermandaniel
How many ordiary people have the funds to take on a Council in court to defend an action taken against them for the alleged libel of one of there employees. South Tyneside Council are using tax payer money to go after Our Hero by stating they have a “Duty of Care” towards these Councilors and Officers.
When did any council get the powers to defend an alleged personal Libel case on behalf of one or more it’s employees?
When did any councilor(s) get the right to free legal aid, for the purpose of perusing an alleged personal libel in a court case at local taxpayers expense?
Furthermore a “Duty of Care” by any organization would be for employees and as councilors are not employees of the council, but are elected to represent their ward constituencies in council the council. And therefore the council have no “Duty of care” in libel cases.
If this goes unchallenged it will only make a grate deal of money for the legal profession and the corrupt will issue libel proceedings against any one mentioned there name and didn’t agree with unlimited funds to fight there case regardless of the out come.
How much is this going to cost South Tyneside Council and who’s jobs are they going to cut to fund it?
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could the monkey when he has time to get in touch its about south tyneside council
how corrupt their are got it in black and white for you to see lord berti
2020 best year ever for ian