Electoral Commission
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Monthly update - concluded investigations
Details of the investigations concluded in the last month have been published today by the Electoral Commission. This is an important part of delivering transparency in political finance in the UK.
| Name and type of regulated entity | What was investigated | Offences found | Decision taken |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hope not Hate (registered non-party campaigner) | Failure to deliver a pre-poll donation report for the 2019 UK parliamentary general election | Failure to deliver a pre-poll donation report for the 2019 UK parliamentary general election | £1,000 variable monetary penalty |
| Failure to deliver accompanying invoices for 2019 UK parliamentary general election spending return | Late delivery of accompanying invoices for 2019 UK parliamentary general election spending return | No sanction imposed. Closed without further action | |
| Labour Party (registered political party) | Failure to deliver accompanying invoices for 2019 UK parliamentary general election spending return | Late delivery of accompanying invoices for 2019 UK parliamentary general election spending return | No sanction imposed. Closed without further action |
| Late reporting of donations | Late reporting of donations | No sanction. Closed without further action | |
| Liberal Democrats (Edinburgh West accounting unit) | Failure to return a donation from an impermissible donor within 30 days | Failure to return a donation from an impermissible donor within 30 days | No sanction. Closed without further action |
| Social Democratic Party (registered political party) | Late delivery of spending return for 2021 Scottish parliamentary election | Late delivery of spending return for 2021 Scottish parliamentary election | No sanction. Close without further action |
Commenting on the concluded investigations, Louise Edwards, Director of Regulation, said:
“It is important for transparency that voters have timely and accurate information about political parties’ and campaigners’ finances. The requirements are clear, so it is always disappointing when they are not met.
“Where we find that offences have been committed, we do not automatically impose sanctions. We act proportionately and take into consideration a range of factors when reaching our final decisions, as set out in our Enforcement Policy.”
For more information contact the Electoral Commission press office on 020 7271 0704, out of office hours 07789 920 414 or press@electoralcommission.org.uk
Notes to editors
- The Electoral Commission is the independent body which oversees elections and regulates political finance in the UK. We work to promote public confidence in the democratic process and ensure its integrity by:
- enabling the delivery of free and fair elections and referendums, focusing on the needs of electors and addressing the changing environment to ensure every vote remains secure and accessible
- regulating political finance – taking proactive steps to increase transparency, ensure compliance and pursue breaches
- using our expertise to make and advocate for changes to our democracy, aiming to improve fairness, transparency and efficiency
The Commission was set up in 2000 and reports to the UK, Welsh, and Scottish parliaments.
- This release forms part of the Commission’s regular monthly investigations update, an important part of its commitment to deliver transparency in political finance in the UK. Information of this nature is published routinely on the third Tuesday of each month. Details for sanctions from previous months are available.
- Penalties imposed by the Commission go into the Consolidated Fund. This is managed by HM Treasury and not the Electoral Commission.
Original article link: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/media-centre/monthly-update-concluded-investigations-30
