Monthly update – concluded investigations (November 2021)
Monthly update – concluded investigations
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Renew (registered political party) |
Late delivery of 2019 UK Parliamentary General Election campaign expenditure return |
Late delivery of 2019 UK Parliamentary General Election campaign expenditure return
|
£2,800 Variable Monetary Penalty imposed. Due for payment by 8 December 2021 |
|
Liberal Democrats (registered political party) |
Failure to deliver accurate quarterly donation returns |
Failure to deliver accurate quarterly donation returns |
No sanction imposed. Closed without further action |
Commenting on the concluded investigations, Louise Edwards, Director of Regulation, said:
“It’s important for transparency that voters have timely and accurate information about the money being spent and received by political parties. The reporting requirements are clear so it is disappointing when they are not met.
“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.”
Investigation where no offence was found:
|
Name and type of regulated entity |
What was investigated |
Offences found |
Decision taken |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Abolish the Welsh Assembly Party (registered political party and promoter); Solopress Ltd (printer) |
Failure to include valid imprint on campaign material |
No offence in respect of the party as the promoter of the material. Offence in respect of the printer. |
Closed without further action |
|
Centrum Campaign Limited (registered non-party campaigner) |
Failure to deliver weekly donations reports for 2019 UK Parliamentary General Election |
No offence found |
Closed without further action |
|
Shaun Bailey (regulated donee) |
Failure to return an impermissible donation within 30 days of receipt |
No offence found |
Closed without further action |
|
Scottish National Party (registered political party) |
Late reporting of donations |
No offence found |
Closed without further action |
|
Space Navies (GB) (de-registered political party) |
Late delivery of weekly donations and transactions reports for 2019 UK Parliamentary General Election; failure to deliver accompanying signed declaration |
No determination of offence |
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 on the Commission’s website.
- 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.