Demands for openness on donations to parties after investigation
THERE have been calls for increased transparency regarding political donations after Stormont’s parties denied being the subject of an investigation by the Electoral Commission.
The commission investigated two separate political donations, however it cannot legally disclose any details about the probes as only information on donations made after July 2017 can be made public.
Historically, donations to Northern Ireland’s political parties have been kept private for security reasons.
The subject of one of the two investigations is Alliance Party MLA Andrew Muir, the party confirmed to the BBC. He failed to declare a trip paid for by the US Government during his time as a representative on Ards and North Down Borough Council.
The North Down MLA said he declared the trip to the council at the time, however he was unaware it also had to be declared to the Electoral Commission.
“He rectified that as soon as it was made clear and apologised for his lateness,” the party said.
“The commission made no determination of an offence in this case. Openness and transparency is of the utmost importance to Alliance, illustrated by the party leading on declaring political donations.”
The other Electoral Commission investigation remains shrouded in mystery as Sinn Fein, the DUP, Ulster Unionists, SDLP, TUV, Greens and People Before Profit all denied involvement. It is possible that other parties not currently holding any seats in the Assembly could be the subject of the investigation.
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said the scenario highlights the need for further transparency regarding political donations.
“This reinforces the need for the full details of Electoral Commission investigations to be published if the public are to have any confidence in the political system,” he said.
The Commission said it will continue to push for legislation to allow more details of donations to be made public.