WIRRAL Council has rejected calls to sign up to a new Government pilot scheme which aims to tackle fraud and corruption in voting.

Conservative councillor Chris Blakeley had urged the authority to consider doing so, following publication of a report by the department of Democratic engagement and Constitutional affairs which identified 18 councils that were most at risk of electoral fraud and will be invited to introduce the need for ID.

Among more than 50 measures proposed is the requirement for voters to be required to produce a form of ID at the polling station.

Wirral Council is not on the list of those at risk of electoral fraud, but in a statement said it would monitor the scheme's findings closely. 

A spokesperson said: "Wirral has a good electoral security system in place and doesn't appear on the Government's 'at risk' list.

"We take electoral fraud very seriously and follow all guidelines and protocols carefully.

"We will not be volunteering for the pilot scheme but, like other authorities, will monitor the findings from this scheme closely."

Conservative councillor for Moreton West & Saughall Massie, Chris Blakeley had written to Wirral Council's chief executive asking for Wirral to take part in 2018.

He said: "I am disappointed that an unnamed council spokesperson has simply thrown this into the long grass.

"Under the council constitution electoral matters are for the council's licensing committee to determine and I would hope that due process will follow and this matter will be fully considered by that committee and a democratic decision is made by elected members, not a council officer."

Chris Skidmore, minister for the constitution added: "The government's view is that electoral fraud is unacceptable on any level.

"I want to protect the right of everyone to have their say and participate in our democracy."

Among ID that is considered acceptable are passports, EU driving licence or other official photographic identity cards, such as a proof of age card.