POLICE have launched an investigation into election fraud in the campaign of a student standing for Oxford City Council.

Charles Steel, a Merton College undergraduate and president-elect of Oxford University Conservative Association, was standing for the Tories in the Holywell ward, but it has been alleged signatures on his official nomination papers were forged.

The city council was approached by some of his proposers and seconders who said they had not signed the official papers. Council chief executive Caroline Bull immediately passed the information to police, who said they had interviewed a man.

Mr Steel, pictured, who has not been arrested, was unavailable for comment.

Martin John, deputy returning officer at Oxford City Council, said: "Some of those who appear as signatories to his name have said they never signed the form."

Making a false declaration on an election nomination paper is a criminal offence. Corrupt practice is punishable by a two-year jail sentence and unlimited fine. Individuals found guilty could also be banned from voting, standing as candidates or election agents.

An Oxford police spokesman said: "One person has been formally interviewed and enquiries continue."

Matthew Barber, the political agent for Central and South Oxfordshire Conservative Group, added: "We will be co-operating fully with the police."

The Conservatives, who do not have a single Oxford city councillor, were only fielding 18 candidates in the 25 seats being contested yesterday. The last time the Tories had a city councillor was 2002.

The Oxford University Conservative Association, of which Mr Steel is a member, was founded in 1924 and has been a rich breeding ground for prominent Conservative politicians.

Current Conservative Party leader and Witney MP David Cameron was a member and former Tory Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher and Edward Heath, and party leader William Hague, were all past presidents.

Mr Cameron's spokesman George Eustace said: "Clearly these are very serious allegations and obviously we would rather there were not allegations, but it would be wrong to comment."