Monthly update – concluded investigations (January 2019)

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 and sanctions imposed:

Name and type of regulated entity What was investigated Decision taken Outcome
Labour Party Failure to deliver accurate quarterly donations report; failure to deliver accurate weekly pre-poll reports for 2017 UKPGE £12,000 and £500 variable monetary penalties Due for payment on 17 January
Movement for Consensus Late delivery of quarterly donations and loans reports; weekly pre-poll reports; and annual accounts for 2017 £2,080 variable monetary penalty Due for payment on 28 January
Mr Robert Griffin Paying for campaign expenditure when not an authorised person £200 fixed monetary penalty Paid on 7 December 2018
Conservative and Unionist Party (High Peak accounting unit) Failure to return impermissible donation within 30 days of receipt £200 fixed monetary penalty and forfeiture of full value of donation (£1,000) Paid on 7 December 2018
National Health Action Party Late delivery of 2017 statement of accounts £500 variable monetary penalty Paid on 18 December
Liberal Democrats Failure to deliver accurate quarterly donations report £200 fixed monetary penalty Paid on 17 December

Commenting on the fines, Louise Edwards, Director of Regulation at the Electoral Commission, said:

The sanction we have imposed on the Labour Party for an inaccurate donations report is the highest fine we have issued for an offence of this kind. As a well-funded political party it should be able to meet its legal requirements.

The reporting requirements are clear, so it is always disappointing when parties and campaigners fail to comply. The law clearly states when and how financial data is required to be submitted to the Commission.

We will continue to enforce these requirements on all parties and campaigners to ensure voters have the information they need.

Investigations where offences were found but no sanction imposed:

Name and type of regulated entity What was investigated Decision taken Outcome
Hong Kong Independence Party Failure to deliver 2017 statement of accounts No sanction Closed without further action
Farnworth and Kearsley First (registered party) Late delivery of quarterly donations report No sanction Closed without further action
Halstead Residents Association (registered party) Late delivery of 2017 statement of accounts No sanction Closed without further action

Ends

For more information contact the Electoral Commission press office:

Notes to editors

The Commission was set up in 2000 and reports to the UK and Scottish Parliament.

  • 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
  • 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. View details of sanctions from previous months.
  • Penalties imposed by the Commission go into the Consolidated Fund. This is managed by HM Treasury and not the Electoral Commission.