May denies early poll link to fraud claims

PM under pressure as number of her party’s MPs could face charges

Theresa May has been forced to deny calling a snap general election because of allegations of electoral fraud hanging over the Conservative Party.

It came as an SNP MP has issued a fresh plea to the Prime Minister for answers over the claims after she stonewalled his previous demand.

Prosecutors are considering charges against about 20 Conservative MPs and election agents, which relate to spending during the 2015 campaign.

In a letter seen by The Courier, Pete Wishart, the nationalists’ shadow leader of the House of Commons and the MP for Perth and North Perthshire, said it is “unacceptable” the questions he lodged three weeks ago have been ignored.

“Since then you have decided to U-turn on all your previous commitments and have plunged us into a snap election campaign,” he told Mrs May.

“There are many observers who are suggesting that the two events are not unconnected and that the threat of a number of Tory MPs facing potential charges may have ‘helped’ you decide on a snap election.”

The Conservative Party was fined the maximum £70,000 last month by the Electoral Commission, which then asked police to investigate if laws had been broken.

The penalty was issued because of “significant failures” in how the party registered its election spending, including not properly declaring, or not declaring at all, campaign expenses.

Strict rules govern campaign spending to prevent parties having an unfair advantage over their rivals.

Nicola Sturgeon last week accused the Tories of “buying” the last election and suggested the Prime Minister called the snap ballot before a potential expenses scandal “catches up with her”.

There was the possibility that the 2015 results in several Tory-held constituencies could be declared void if the allegations were proven.

A snap election would avoid that, SNP politicians have suggested.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) will decide whether to pursue allegations against 30 Conservative candidates and agents before the June 8 election.

Asked on the BBC’s Andrew Marr show if there had been any discussion around potential action by the CPS, Mrs May said: “That is not the reason why this election has been called and let’s be clear, in relation to the Electoral Commission issue local spending was properly declared, we did – the Conservative party did – make an administrative error on its national spending.”

Pressed on whether candidates facing CPS action would be able to stand, she replied: “Well the CPS is an independent body which will make decisions about whether or not it takes actions on individuals.”

Since then you have decided to U-turn ... and have plunged us into a snap election campaign. PETE WISHART, SNP MP

Picture: PA. Prime Minister Theresa May is joined by Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson on the election campaign trail in the village of Crathes, Aberdeenshire.