Monthly update – concluded investigations (July 2021)
Summary
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 |
---|---|---|---|
Keep Our NHS Public (KONP) (unregistered non-party campaigner) and Solopress Limited (printer) | Failure to include valid imprint on campaign material | Failure to include valid imprint on campaign material | No sanction imposed on printer. £500 variable monetary penalty imposed on publisher. Paid on 28 June 2021 |
Conservative and Unionist Party (registered political party) | Inaccurate statutory reports; failure to return impermissible donations within 30 days | Inaccurate statutory reports; failure to return impermissible donations within 30 days | No sanctions imposed. Donations voluntarily forfeited |
The investigation concluded this month into the Conservative and Unionist Party does not relate to the funding of works at 11 Downing Street.
Commenting on the concluded investigations, Louise Edwards, Director of Regulation, said:
“The requirements are clear, so it is always disappointing when they are not met. It is vital that voters have timely and accurate information about donations, and the opportunity to know who is targeting them with campaign material at elections.
“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.”
Investigation where no offence was found:
Name and type of regulated entity | What was investigated | Offences found | Decision taken |
---|---|---|---|
Global Justice Now Ltd (registered non-party campaigner) | Failure to deliver all relevant invoices in 2019 UK general election spending return; paying an invoice later than 30 days after end of regulated period | No offences found | 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
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.