Bridges could face two years in prison

WELLINGTON: If allegations by rogue MP JamiLee Ross are true, National Party leader Simon Bridges could face up to two years in jail, electoral lawyer Graeme Edgeler says.

Yesterday, while the National Party caucus took place, Mr Ross faced media, making explosive claims against Mr Bridges and saying he would complain to police about the handling of donations made to the party.

Mr Ross told reporters he planned to lay a police complaint over Mr Bridges’ handling of donations — and said he would provide a recording of a conversation with the National leader to support his complaint.

Mr Ross said Mr Bridges asked him to collect a $100,000 donation which was then split into smaller amounts to hide it.

Mr Edgeler said Mr Ross had alleged there had been an ‘‘attempt or conspiracy’’ to try to get around some of the particular election donation disclosure requirements in the Act.

Mr Edgeler has worked with the Electoral Commission on election finance law and has given advice about electoral law as a lawyer.

‘‘Because it [the donation] was as large as he says it was, there is an obligation to disclose large donations, over $30,000, within 10 working days to the electoral commission.’’

‘‘But that depends how it was laid out. It’s how exactly did it happen that’s important if this is illegal or not. Also who knew what when, and what can you prove?’’

It needed to be proved beyond reasonable doubt to get a conviction, he said.

Mr Ross had alleged Mr Bridges had asked someone to structure the donation to avoid that disclosure requirement, he said.

‘‘That would be a reasonably serious electoral law offence if that was proven.’’

It carried a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment.

‘‘It could be a conspiracy charge, there was an attempt to arrange with other people to break the law, but there would be other possibilities.’’

Mr Ross appeared credible during his press conference, Mr Edgeler said.