25 May 2006
Archived Release. Please email the Press Team for assistance.
This is an archived news release and links may no longer work.
Following discussions with the City of London Police, the Electoral Commission has decided to await the outcome of the police investigation of the financial affairs of 5th Avenue Partners Limited and its director before considering further whether 5th Avenue Partners Limited's donations to the Liberal Democrats last year met the tests for donations to political parties by companies.
Between February and May 2005, 5th Avenue Partners Limited made donations totalling around £2.4million to the Liberal Democrats. In October 2005 the Commission took the view that, based on all the evidence which the party had, and subject to any further information becoming available, it was reasonable for the party to regard the donations as having been permissible (See Note 2).
There is currently an investigation by the City of London Police and separate legal proceedings concerning the financial affairs of 5th Avenue Partners Ltd and its director. It is possible that further information will become available that may be relevant to the issue of whether these donations were permissible.
The Commission has therefore decided to await the outcome of the police investigation before considering this matter further, and will be liaising closely with the City of London Police over the coming weeks.
/ends
For further information please contact:
Tabitha Cunniffe or Anna McGlynn on 020 7271 0529 / 0530
email: press@electoralcommission.org.uk
outside office hours 07789 920414
Notes to editors:
1. The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA) came into force on the 16 February 2001 and requires registered political parties to submit quarterly donation reports to the Commission. These reports must include all donations over £5,000 to main political party offices and over £1,000 to constituency or local party offices.
2. Parties may accept donations of over £200 only if they are deemed 'permissible' under the terms of PPERA. 'Permissible' donors include individuals who are listed on the UK electoral register; or companies which are registered under the Companies Act 1985, incorporated in the UK or another member state which carries on business in the UK.
3. To search the donations register, visit the Commissions website www.electoralcommission.org.uk and go to 'Register of donations to political parties using the 'donations' link on the home page.
4. The Electoral Commission is an independent body set up by the UK Parliament. Our mission is to foster public confidence and participation by promoting integrity, involvement and effectiveness in the democratic process.
