A former Conservative parliamentary candidate has been cleared of attempting to rig the result of a Bradford seat in the 2005 General Election.

Haroon Rashid, 38, alongside four other Bradford men, was charged with conspiring to defraud Bradford Council’s registration officer over applications to vote by post in the three years leading up to the election in the Bradford West constituency.

Judge Robert Bartfield told the jury at Leeds Crown Court today: “In your absence I have listened to a legal submission on behalf of Mr Rashid, that there is insufficient evidence to convict him of being part of this conspiracy.

“And I agree with that submission.”

Directing the jury to find Mr Rashid not guilty, he said: “The prosecution would say that the evidence in respect of the defendant has to drive you to the only reasonable conclusion that he was part of the conspiracy – you would have to be sure of guilt before you could convict. My decision is such evidence does not exist in the case of Haroon Rashid.”

The jury in the trial of the remaining men charged with conspiracy – former Bradford councillors Jamshed Khan, 64, of Russell Street, Bradford, and Reis Khan, 39, of Whetley Hill, Bradford, as well as Mohammed Sharif Sultan, 51, of Toller Lane, Bradford, and Mohammed Rafiq, 68, of Cecil Avenue, Great Horton – who all deny the charges – has been discharged because one of the defendants wants to be represented by a different legal team.

Judge Bartfield said: “The trial could not have gone on without Mr Sultan being properly represented and so we have come up against a brick wall.”

A pre-trial review will be held in September on a date to be confirmed.

After his acquittal, Mr Rashid, who now lives in Richings Way, Iver, Buckinghamshire, said: “It’s a monumental relief after four years of investigation at a great public expense.

“But justice takes its course.

“My intention as it is right now will be to pursue my career as a Member of Parliament for Bradford West.”