Monthly update - concluded investigations
Summary
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.
Investigations where offences were found and sanctions imposed:
| Name and type of regulated entity | What was investigated | Decision taken | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Conservative Draws Society (unincorporated association) | Failure to provide notifications of gifts to a political party exceeding £25,000 | £750 variable monetary penalty | Payment due by 26 December 2019 |
| UK Independence Party (UKIP) | Inaccurate weekly donations reports for 2017 UK Parliamentary General Election | £400 variable monetary penalty | Paid on 28 November 2019 |
| Croydon Council Conservative Group (unincorporated association) | Failure to provide notifications of gifts to a political party exceeding £25,000 | £350 variable monetary penalty | Paid 2 on December 2019 |
| Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Conservative Councillors (unincorporated association) | Failure to provide notifications of gifts to a political party exceeding £25,000 | £300 variable monetary penalty | Payment due by 26 December 2019 |
Comment
Commenting on the fines imposed, Louise Edwards, Director of Regulation, said:
“The reporting requirements are clear, so it is always disappointing when parties and unincorporated associations fail to report their donations. It is vital that voters are given an opportunity to see full, accurate data on where parties’ money comes from.
“The Commission will continue to enforce these requirements on all parties and campaigners to ensure that voters have the information they need.”
Investigations where no sanctions were imposed:
| Name and type of regulated entity | What was investigated | Decision taken | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Welfare Party (NI) (registered political party) | Late delivery of 2016, 2017 and 2018 statement of accounts | No sanction | No offences found. Closed without further action |
| Cross-Community Labour Alternative (registered political party) | Late delivery of 2017 statement of accounts | No sanction | Offences found. Closed without further action |
| Friends of Rochford (registered political party) | Late delivery of quarterly donations and transactions reports; late delivery of 2017 statement of accounts' failure to notify Commission of a change in registered officer by due date | No sanction | No offences found. Closed without further action |
| Grassroots Out Limited (permitted participant at the EU referendum) | Inaccurate pre-poll reports for EU referendum; inaccurate spending report | No sanction | Offences found. Closed without further action |
| Labour Party (Eltham accounting unit) | Inaccurate quarterly transactions reports | No sanction | No determination of offence. Closed without further action |
| Our Nation (registered political party) | Late delivery of quarterly loans and transactions reports | No sanction | Offences found. Closed without further action |
Ends
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
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 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.
Related tags
- Campaigner
- Investigations
- Journalist
- UK wide
- Political party
- Voter