THE Crown Prosecution Service is considering whether to bring charges over the allegedly fraudulent election form of a failed Tory candidate.

Thames Valley Police's economic fraud unit formerly the fraud squad launched an investigation after it was claimed signatures on Charles Steel's nomination papers as a candidate in the recent Oxford City Council elections were forged.

The Merton College undergraduate, pictured, who is acting president of Oxford University Conservative Association, stood unsuccessfully in the Holywell ward, polling just 165 votes.

But some of those who were named as assentors on his official nomination papers. approached the city council to say they had not signed official paperwork. Police have passed their files to the CPS and recommended at least a caution is made. Police have refused to say who could be prosecuted. Oxford police spokesman Tim Wiseman said: "Following a thorough investigation into irregularities noticed on official nomination papers a file has been submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service.

"We now await their decision as to whether any charges will be brought."

The election fraud saga involving Mr Steel heaped huge embarrassment on OUCA and prompted leading committee members including president Simon Clarke to quit en masse.

The association tried and failed to get Mr Steel to quit his post amid the adverse publicity.

OUCA, founded in 1924, is one of the oldest and largest student political associations in the country.