Election 2021: Tracy Brabin's brownie giveaway not unlawful

West Yorkshire Police say they are investigating the claims made against Ms Brabin

A Labour candidate for mayor did not break election rules by handing out brownies while campaigning, police have said.

West Yorkshire Police had been looking into the allegations against Batley and Spen MP Tracy Brabin.

Labour said the treats were only given to party members after canvassing - which is not against the rules.

Former actor Ms Brabin is one of seven candidates in the West Yorkshire mayoral election on 6 May.

A force spokesman said: "West Yorkshire Police can confirm that after an investigation following the circulation of social media posts and a direct complaint re electoral matters that no offences have been recorded."

The mayoral election was originally meant to take place in May 2020 but was postponed due to the pandemic.

Voters in Leeds, Wakefield, Kirklees, Calderdale and Bradford can all make a selection.

The other candidates standing in the mayoral election are (listed alphabetically):

Waj Ali, Reform UK

Mr Ali stood as the Brexit Party candidate for the Hemsworth constituency in the 2019 General Election.

Bob Buxton, Yorkshire Party

Mr Buxton is a Rawdon parish councillor and is employed teaching engineering apprentices in Bradford.

Andrew Cooper, Green Party

Mr Cooper is a councillor for the Newsome ward in Kirklees and is the party's energy spokesperson.

Stewart Golton, Liberal Democrat

Mr Golton is a councillor for Rothwell and leader of the Liberal Democrats on Leeds City Council.

Thérèse Hirst, English Democrats

Ms Hirst is a former religious education and law teacher and is the deputy chairman of the English Democrats party.

Matt Robinson, Conservative

Mr Robinson has represented the Harewood ward in Leeds as a councillor since 2010.