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 / contraventions found

Decision taken

UK Independence Party (registered political party)

Failure to deliver complete and valid notifications of changes to the registered leaders of the party in Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Failure to deliver notification of change to the party’s registered address

Failure to deliver complete and valid notifications of changes to the registered leaders of the party in Great Britain and Northern Ireland

No sanction imposed. Closed without further action

English Democrats (registered political party)

Late delivery of Q4 2020 quarterly transaction report

Late delivery of Q4 2020 quarterly transaction report

No sanction imposed. Closed without further action

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

“It is important for transparency that voters have timely and accurate information about political parties’ leadership and finances.

“Where we find offences have been committed, we do not automatically impose sanctions. We take into consideration a range of factors when reaching our final decision, including a party’s efforts to improve their compliance systems to avert future breaches.”

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

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 on the Commission’s website. Earlier this month the Commission also concluded an investigation into the Conservative Party and published its findings. Given the public interest, an investigation report was published on Thursday 9 December.

3. 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.