Reform UK has lodged a report of electoral fraud after it was defeated by the Green Party in the Gorton & Denton by-election.

The party’s candidate Matthew Goodwin was defeated by Hannah Spencer from Zack Polanski’s party with a majority of more than 4,000 votes.

Now, Mr Farage’s party has alleged there were many cases of “family voting”, calling it “deeply concerning.”

It comes after election observer group Democracy Volunteers warned it had witnessed “concerningly high levels” of family voting, an illegal practice where two voters use one polling booth and potentially direct each other on voting.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage MP said: “Reform has today reported the many cases of ‘family voting’ to the electoral commission and the police.

“What was witnessed yesterday is deeply concerning and raises serious questions about the integrity of the democratic process in predominantly Muslim areas.

“If this is what was happening at polling stations just imagine the potential for coercion with postal votes. If action isn’t taken now, then we will ensure it is after the next General Election.”

Greater Manchester Police confirmed a report has been made and are in the process of reviewing it.

Earlier today, the party’s chairman Dr David Bull was asked if reports of “unprecedented levels of illegal family voting” across the constituency impacted the result.

Dr Bull responded: “If I’m being candid, probably not.”

A Green Party spokesman said: “This is an attempt to undermine the democratic result and is straight out of the Trump playbook.

“We’ve just won a historic by-election by a comfortable margin. We’ve shown the country that Greens can beat Reform, despite their big business donations.”