Details of concluded investigations have been published by the Electoral Commission as part of the Commission’s regular monthly investigations update, part of its commitment to deliver transparency in political finance in the UK.
The Christian Peoples Alliance was handed four separate fines totalling £2,580. The party failed to deliver its pre-poll reports for the 2017 UK Parliamentary General Election on time, and failed to deliver an accurate spending return and the required receipts. It also failed to maintain proper accounting records. It has until 31 July 2018 to pay the fine or to appeal.
Compass, formerly a registered political party, was fined £2,200 for failing to deliver its spending return for the 2017 General Election. It has until 17 July 2018 to pay the fine or to appeal.
Third party campaigner, Best For Britain, was given two fines totalling £1,250 for failing to return an impermissible donation and to deliver an accurate spending return for the 2017 General Election. It paid the fines on 4 July 2018.
Global Britain, a permitted participant at the 2016 EU Referendum, was handed two fines totalling £1,250 for inaccurate pre-poll and post-poll donations reporting. It paid the fine on 16 July.
Commenting on the fines, Bob Posner, Director of Party Finance and Regulation and Legal Counsel at the Electoral Commission, said: “The reporting requirements are clear, so it is always disappointing when parties or campaigners fail to report, report late or inaccurately. It’s vital that voters are given an opportunity to see accurate and full reportable data on what parties spend money on in order to influence them at elections and referendums. This provides transparency in the political finance system and is open for anyone to scrutinise. The Commission will continue to enforce these requirements on all parties and campaigners to ensure voters have the information they need.”
* The Electoral Commission https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/
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