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
Labour Party (registered political party) Failure to deliver accurate quarterly transactions reports (Q3 2014, Q2 2015, Q1 2016, Q2 2016, Q2 2017) Failure to deliver accurate quarterly transactions reports (Q3 2014, Q2 2015, Q1 2016, Q2 2016, Q2 2017) Five variable monetary penalties totalling £2,750
Momentum Campaign Services (Ltd) (registered non-party campaigner) Failure to return impermissible donations within 30 days Failure to return impermissible donations within 30 days Donations returned outside 30 days. No sanction
Conservative and Unionist Party (Walsall South accounting unit) Failure to return impermissible donations within 30 days Failure to return impermissible donations within 30 days Donations voluntarily forfeited. No sanction

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

“The reporting requirements are clear, so it is always disappointing when they are not met. Similarly, the duty to establish permissibility and return impermissible donations within 30 days is well established and understood. Together, these rules make sure that voters are given an opportunity to see accurate, timely data on where parties and campaigners receive their money, and have confidence that money comes from permissible sources.

“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 offences were found:

Name and type of regulated entity What was investigated Offences found Decision taken
Working 4 UK Ltd (registered non-party campaigner) Failure to submit a complete spending return for 2019 UKPGE No offence No sanction. Closed without further action
Scientists for EU (registered non-party campaigner) Failure to submit a complete spending return for 2019 UKPGE No offence

No sanction. 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 [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. This is managed by HM Treasury and not the Electoral Commission.