A councillor facing allegations that she does not live in the city has claimed there has been “no proven electoral fraud” but refused to meet with The Argus.

Councillor Chandni Mistry, who represents Queen’s Park on Brighton and Hove City Council, was suspended by the Labour Party after an investigation over claims that she lives in Leicester.

Councillor Bharti Gajjar, who represents Kemp Town on the council, was also suspended from Labour over similar allegations.

To be a councillor, you need to be registered to vote in the area or have lived, worked or owned property there for at least 12 months before an election.

Both Cllr Mistry and Cllr Gajjar now sit as independents on the council.

The Argus: Councillor Chandni Mistry at Queen's ParkCouncillor Chandni Mistry at Queen's Park (Image: Supplied)

In a statement to The Argus, Cllr Mistry refuted allegations of electoral malpractice and said she had been in contact with police and the council’s electoral services.

She said: “I endeavour to maintain a commitment to represent my local community, residents and businesses.

“I have been in contact with the police, Action Fraud and electoral services in Brighton and Hove and I believe, as I have also been advised, that there is no proven electoral fraud.

“In line with my own values of transparency, I have engaged and continue to engage with these concerns. I value democracy and fair representation in my privileged role as an elected member of the local government.”

But when pressed by The Argus, Cllr Mistry refused to confirm her address, following a previous claim to this newspaper that she lives “in the heart of Brighton”.

A police spokesman said an investigation into election malpractice is “still ongoing”.

Usually, the local Labour Party selects candidates for council elections. However, following a number of allegations of anti-Semitism among Labour councillors in Brighton after the 2019 election, the regional Labour Party stepped in to select its candidates for the 2023 May elections.

Several Labour sources in Brighton and Hove have told The Argus they had never met Cllr Mistry or Cllr Gajjar prior to their selection.

All four political groups on Brighton and Hove City Council have called on both councillors to resign and trigger a by-election for their respective council seats.

A council spokesman said: "Councillor Mistry has been expelled from the Labour Party under Labour Party processes.

"Councillor Mistry remains a councillor. Her status as a councillor is not affected by the actions taken by the Labour Party.

"Councillors remain councillors unless they are disqualified under the Local Government Act 1972 or the Local Government Act (Disqualification) Act 2022.

"If there are allegations regarding electoral fraud, that is a matter for the police.

"Electoral Commission guidance specifically says the Returning Officer should not undertake any investigation as to the veracity of the claims regarding qualifications to be a candidate."

The Argus contacted Cllr Mistry for an interview. She told this newspaper she was “unable” to meet a reporter.