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As part of its regular monthly casework update, an important part of its commitment to ensuring transparency in the UK's political and party funding systems, the Electoral Commission has today published details of two separate concluded investigations where sanctions have been applied.

In the first case, the Commission has fined the former registered treasurer of 'NO2EU' £3000. NO2EU was a registered political party at the time of the 2014 European Parliamentary Election (EPE). Its treasurer failed to deliver a spending report for that election, and delivered donations and loans reports late.

In the second case, the Commission has fined the 'We Are The Reality Party' £1800 for failing to deliver their spending report for the 2015 UK Parliamentary General Election, as well as failing to deliver donations and loans reports.

The full monthly casework update, which includes details on all of our recently concluded investigations, can be found on our website here.

NO2EU

The Electoral Commission has fined NO2EU £3000 because it has failed to deliver its campaign expenditure report and delivered donations and loans reports late.

NO2EU campaigned at the 2014 EPE, and appeared to spend a substantial sum. It did not renew its registration in October 2014. The Commission chose to fine the treasurer rather than the party because of the lack of co-operation specifically by the treasurer. The report remains outstanding and the Commission continues to pursue this matter.

The treasurer has not paid the fine, which has now increased to £3750. Should the increased sum not be paid by 31 March it will increase further to £4500.

Louise Edwards, Head of Regulatory Compliance and Casework at the Electoral Commission, said:

"Transparency around party spending does not become less important because a party ceases to be registered. It remains the treasurer's legal responsibility to ensure all required reports have been delivered to the Commission. Despite our efforts, NO2EU's spending almost two years ago at the EPE still remains unknown as a result of this lack of co-operation."

We Are The Reality Party

The Electoral Commission has fined We Are The Reality Party £1800 for failing to deliver a campaign expenditure report for the 2015 UKPGE, as well as failing to deliver quarterly donations and loans reports.

The Commission acknowledged that the party is relatively small and does not have substantial resources. This is the second time the party has been fined for non-compliance and that fine remains unpaid. Despite the Commission's ongoing efforts to engage with the party it continues to fail to meet its statutory requirements. The level of the fine reflects this.

Any penalties that are imposed by the Commission go into the Consolidated Fund. This is managed by HM Treasury and not the Electoral Commission.

For more information please contact:

Umar Hanif at the Electoral Commission press office on 020 7271 0536.
Out of office hours 07789 920414 
Email press@electoralcommission.org.uk

Notes to editors

1. The Electoral Commission is an independent body set up by the UK Parliament. Our aim is integrity and public confidence in the UK's democratic process. We regulate party and election finance and set standards for well-run elections and are responsible for the conduct and regulation of referendums held under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act (2000).
2. The Electoral Commission has a range of enforcement powers under PPERA. For more information on the regulatory work of the Commission see the website here.
3. Any potential breaches of the rules which regulate political party funding are considered in line with the Commission's enforcement policy which can be accessed here.
4. On the third Tuesday of every month, the Electoral Commission publishes details of concluded cases where the Commission has imposed sanctions here.
5. An individual or organisation that is issued with a sanction by the Electoral Commission has 28 days to appeal that decision. Any such appeal is made to the County Court (or in Scotland to a Sheriff))
6. In both cases the fines will increase by 50% if it is not paid within 56 days of being imposed. After a further 28 days we may take action to obtain payment through the courts using the debt recovery process.
7. The Electoral Commission removed NO2EU from its register of political parties in Great Britain on 1 November 2014 after it failed to confirm its registration details with the Commission; a legal requirement that must be submitted annually.
8. We Are The Reality Party was fined £400 in October 2015 for failing to deliver weekly donations and loans reports during the period before the UKPGE