Monthly update – concluded investigations
Summary
Details of 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:
Name and type of regulated entity | What was investigated | Offences found | Decision taken |
---|---|---|---|
Keep Our NHS Public (KONP) (unregistered non-party campaigner) and Solopress Limited (printer) | Failure to include valid imprint on campaign material | Failure to include valid imprint on campaign material | £500 variable monetary penalty imposed on publisher. No sanction imposed on printer. Due for payment by 22 March 2021 |
Mebynon Kernow – The Party for Cornwall | Late delivery of campaign spending return for 2019 UKPGE | Late delivery of campaign spending return for 2019 UKPGE | £200 fixed monetary penalty imposed. Paid on 26 February 2021 |
The Migrant Party (registered political party) | Late delivery of quarterly donations and transactions reports; failure to notify Commission of a change to party’s registered address within 30 days | Late delivery of quarterly donations and transactions reports; failure to notify Commission of a change to party’s registered address within 30 days | Two fixed monetary penalties totalling £400 imposed. Payment by instalments arranged |
Scottish Green Party (registered political party) | Failure to deliver accurate campaign spending return for 2019 UKPGE | Failure to deliver accurate campaign spending return for 2019 UKPGE | £200 fixed monetary imposed. Due for payment by 2 April 2021 |
Conservative and Unionist Party (GB) (registered political party) | Failure to deliver complete campaign spending return for 2019 European Parliamentary election; late delivery of auditor report accompanying campaign spending for 2019 European Parliamentary election | Failure to deliver complete campaign spending return for 2019 European Parliamentary election; late delivery of auditor report accompanying campaign spending for 2019 European Parliamentary election | No sanction imposed. Closed without further action |
Labour Party (registered political party) | Failure to return an impermissible donation within 30 days | Failure to return an impermissible donation within 30 days | No sanction imposed. Donation voluntarily forfeited |
Commenting on the concluded investigations, Louise Edwards, Director of Regulation, said:
“The requirements are clear, so it is always disappointing when they are not met. It is vital that voters have the opportunity to know who is targeting them with campaign material at elections, and can later see timely data on how campaigners spent their money.
“The Commission will continue to enforce these requirements to ensure that voters have the information they need.”
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, 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.