Monthly update – concluded investigations (August 2021)

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 an offence was found:

Name and type of regulated entity What was investigated Offences found Decision taken
Advance Together (registered political party) Failure to deliver quarterly donation and transaction reports on time Failure to deliver quarterly donation and transaction reports on time No sanction imposed. Closed without further action
Alliance – Alliance Party of Northern Ireland (registered political party) Failure to deliver an accurate quarterly donation report Failure to deliver an accurate quarterly donation report No sanction imposed. Closed without further action
Net Tax Payers Consent Party (registered political party) Late delivery of quarterly donation and transaction reports Late delivery of quarterly donation and transaction reports No sanction imposed. Closed without further action
The Cynon Valley Party (registered political party) Failure to deliver complete campaign spending return for 2019 UK Parliamentary General Election; failure to deliver accompanying signed declaration Failure to deliver complete campaign spending return for 2019 UK Parliamentary General Election; failure to deliver accompanying signed declaration No sanction imposed. Closed without further action

Commenting on the concluded investigations, Louise Edwards, Director of Regulation, said: 

“Failures to comply with the law are often an opportunity for us to work with parties to help them better understand the law and ensure future compliance. Where we find that offences have been committed, we do not automatically impose sanctions. We look at every case, and all of the circumstances, individually, and take into account many factors in deciding whether sanctions are the most effective way to achieve improved compliance.” 

Ends

For more information contact the Electoral Commission press office on 020 7271 0704, out of office hours 07789 920 414 or [email protected]
 

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, as do forfeited donations. This is managed by HM Treasury and not the Electoral Commission.