Monthly update - concluded investigations (April 2022)
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.
Investigations where offences were found
Name and type of regulated entity | What was investigated | Offences found | Decision taken |
---|---|---|---|
Conservative and Unionist Party (registered political party) | Failure to deliver accurate quarterly donations report | Failure to deliver accurate quarterly donations report | No sanction imposed |
Labour Party (Islington South and Finsbury accounting unit) | Late delivery of annual statement of accounts | Late delivery of annual statement of accounts | No sanction imposed |
Old Windsor Residents Association (registered political party) | Late delivery of quarterly reports | Late delivery of quarterly reports | No sanction imposed |
Open Britain Limited (registered non-party campaigner) |
Late delivery of 2019 UK Parliamentary General Election spending return |
Late delivery of 2019 UK Parliamentary General Election spending return |
No sanction imposed |
Failure to deliver accompanying invoices for 2019 UK Parliamentary General Election spending return | Failure to deliver accompanying invoices for 2019 UK Parliamentary General Election spending return | No sanction imposed |
Commenting on the concluded investigation, 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.”
Investigations where no offences were found
Name and type of regulated entity | What was investigated | Offences found | Decision taken |
---|---|---|---|
Labour Party (Bath accounting unit) | Late delivery of annual statement of accounts | No offence found | Closed without further action |
West Dunbartonshire Community Party (registered political party) | Late delivery of annual statement of accounts | No offence found | Closed without further action |
Notes to editors
Notes to editors
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Penalties imposed by the Commission go into the Consolidated Fund. This is managed by HM Treasury and not the Electoral Commission.