Monthly update – concluded investigations (September 2021)
Intro
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 |
---|---|---|---|
Labour Together (members association) |
Failure to deliver donation reports within 30 days of accepting donations Inaccurate reporting of a donation Failure to appoint responsible persons within 30 days of accepting donations |
Failure to deliver donation reports within 30 days of accepting donations Inaccurate reporting of a donation Failure to appoint responsible persons within 30 days of accepting donations |
Variable monetary penalties totalling £14,250 Paid on 2 September 2021 |
Labour Party (registered political party) |
Failure to deliver accurate quarterly donation reports |
Failure to deliver accurate quarterly donation reports |
Variable monetary penalties totalling £1,820 Paid on 1 September 2021 |
Gwlad (registered political party) |
Late delivery of weekly donations and transactions reports for 2019 UK parliamentary general election Late delivery of campaign spending return for 2019 UK parliamentary general election |
Late delivery of weekly donations and transactions reports for 2019 UK parliamentary general election Late delivery of campaign spending return for 2019 UK parliamentary general election |
£200 fixed monetary penalty Paid on initial notice on 6 September 2021 |
Green Party (registered political party) |
Failure to deliver a complete campaign spending return for 2019 European Parliament election Failure to deliver a return containing a statement of all payments made in respect of campaign expenses |
Failure to deliver a complete campaign spending return for 2019 European Parliament election Failure to deliver a return containing a statement of all payments made in respect of campaign expenses |
No sanction imposed. Closed without further action |
The Justice & Anti-Corruption Party (registered political party) |
Late delivery of campaign spending return for 2019 UK parliamentary general election |
Late delivery of campaign spending return for 2019 UK parliamentary general election |
No sanction imposed. Closed without further action |
Real Change Lab Limited (registered non-party campaigner) |
Failure to deliver a return containing a statement of all relevant donations accepted for 2019 UK Parliamentary General Election |
Failure to deliver a return containing a statement of all relevant donations accepted for 2019 UK Parliamentary General Election |
No sanction imposed. Closed without further action |
Commenting on the concluded investigations, Louise Edwards, Director of Regulation, said:
“It is vital that voters have timely and accurate information about the money that parties and campaigners spend at elections and the donations they and other regulated organisations receive. The reporting requirements are clear, so it is always disappointing when they are not met.
“Where we find that offences have been committed, we do not automatically impose sanctions. On occasion, failures to comply can provide an opportunity for us to work with those we regulate to help them better understand the law and ensure future compliance.”
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, as do forfeited donations. This is managed by HM Treasury and not the Electoral Commission.