Monthly update – concluded investigations

19 Apr 2022 11:17 AM

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 offences were found:

Name and type of regulated entity What was investigated Offences found Decision taken
Conservative and Unionist Party (registered political party) Failure to deliver accurate quarterly donations report Failure to deliver accurate quarterly donations report No sanction imposed
Labour Party (Islington South and Finsbury accounting unit) Late delivery of annual statement of accounts Late delivery of annual statement of accounts No sanction imposed
Old Windsor Residents Association (registered political party) Late delivery of quarterly reports Late delivery of quarterly reports No sanction imposed
Open Britain Limited (registered non-party campaigner)

Late delivery of 2019 UK Parliamentary General Election spending return

Late delivery of 2019 UK Parliamentary General Election spending return

No sanction imposed
Failure to deliver accompanying invoices for 2019 UK Parliamentary General Election spending return Failure to deliver accompanying invoices for 2019 UK Parliamentary General Election spending return No sanction imposed
 

Commenting on the concluded investigation, Louise Edwards, Director of Regulation, said:

“It is important for transparency that voters have timely and accurate information about political parties' and campaigners’ finances. The 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. We act proportionately and take into consideration a range of factors when reaching our final decisions, as set out in our Enforcement Policy.”

Investigations where no offences were found:

Name and type of regulated entity What was investigated Offences found Decision taken
Labour Party (Bath accounting unit) Late delivery of annual statement of accounts No offence found Closed without further action
West Dunbartonshire Community Party (registered political party) Late delivery of annual statement of accounts No offence found Closed without further action
 

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, Welsh, 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.