Key Green target seat hit by voting problems

Police were called in part of Lewisham which is an interesting seat for environmentalists, as Joan Ruddock is hoping to be returned as the Labour member for Lewisham and Deptford.

Reports say officers were called in to one polling station after wannabe-voters staged a sit in.

While, other unconfirmed reports, say one polling station remained open until 10.30pm, half an hour after the deadline to allow people to cast their votes had officially passed.

Ms Ruddock, who before the election was the minister for the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency scheme, is being challenged by the Green Party’s Darren Johnson.

However, Ms Ruddock has a commanding majority of 38.3% (13,146), over the Lib Dems so it would take large swing for a green victory.

On the voting problems Jenny Watson, of the Election Commission, said: “Cleary this is a very serious concern and presiding officers will have to answer for their actions.”

Luke Walsh