Monthly update - concluded investigations

15 Sep 2020 11:40 AM

Details of 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:

Name and type of regulated entity What was investigated Offences found Decision taken
Scottish Green Party (registered political party) Failure to deliver accurate quarterly donations reports Failure to deliver accurate quarterly donations reports Seven variable monetary penalties totalling £5,349.75. Due for payment by 24 September  
Conservative and Unionist Party (registered political party) Failure to deliver accurate quarterly donations reports Failure to deliver accurate quarterly donations reports Three variable monetary penalties totalling £4,400. Due for payment by 24 September 
Ian Paisley MP (regulated donee) Failure to return donations from impermissible donors within 30 days of receiving them  Failure to return donations from impermissible donors within 30 days of receiving them Two variable monetary penalties totalling £1,300. Due for payment by 8 October 2020
The Brexit Party (registered political party) Failure to deliver an accurate quarterly donations report  Failure to deliver an accurate quarterly donations report £200 fixed monetary penalty. Paid on receipt of initial notice on 24 August 2020
British Resistance (registered political party) Late delivery of annual accounts (2018) Late delivery of annual accounts (2018) No sanction. Closed without further action
Matt Hancock MP (registered donee)  Failure to return a donation from an impermissible donor within 30 days of receiving it  Failure to return a donation from an impermissible donor within 30 days of receiving it No sanction. Closed without further action
Veterans and People's Party (registered political party) Late delivery of pre-poll donations and transactions reports ahead of 2019 UKPGE Late delivery of pre-poll donations and transactions reports ahead of 2019 UKPGE No sanction. Closed without further action
 
Commenting on the fines imposed, Louise Edwards, Director of Regulation, said:

“The reporting requirements are clear, so it is always disappointing when they are not met. It is vital that voters are given an opportunity to see accurate and timely data on how parties and campaigners are funded. 

“The Commission will continue to enforce these requirements on all parties and campaigners to ensure that voters have the information they need.”

Investigations where no offences were found:

Name and type of regulated entity What was investigated Offences found Decision taken
Liberal Democrats (London accounting unit) Failure to return a donation from an impermissible donor within 30 days  No offence Closed without further action
Prosper UK (registered political party) Failure to deliver quarterly donations and transactions reports No determination of offence Closed without further action 
 
Following a change to the law in 2018, donations and loans reported by political parties and other regulated entities in Northern Ireland after July 2017 can now be published, giving voters greater transparency. We continue to call for the rules to be extended so we can publish information dating back to January 2014.

For more information contact the Electoral Commission press office on 020 7271 0704, out of office hours 07789 920 414 or press@electoralcommission.org.uk

Notes to editors

1.    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 and Scottish Parliaments.

2.    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.

3.    Penalties imposed by the Commission go into the Consolidated Fund. This is managed by HM Treasury and not the Electoral Commission.