Remain spent £5m more than Leave

Investigations have been launched into both campaigns

The Remain campaign outspent Leave by a margin of more than £5 million in last year’s EU referendum, new figures have revealed.

But investigations have been launched into the spending returns of both lead campaigns in the contest – Stronger In and Vote Leave – after the Electoral Commission watchdog found they had failed to supply all the required information about their finances.

Figures released by the watchdog showed that a total of more than £32m was spent, making the Brexit battle the most expensive referendum campaign ever in British political history.

Details of groups which spent £250,000 or more, released yesterday, showed the major Remain campaigns splashing out almost £16.2m, compared to £11.5m for Leave. When combined with details of smaller spenders released last November, this means the Remain campaign outspent Leave by a margin of £19,070,566 to £13,436,241.

After its initial inspection of spending returns from both sides, the Commission found that neither Stronger In nor Vote Leave had submitted all the necessary invoices and receipts to back up their accounts. The watchdog also said details of suppliers were missing for some payments.

An investigation has also been opened into missing details of suppliers, invoices and receipts in the Liberal Democrats’ return, as well as into individual campaigner Peter Harris, who delivered his spending report late and without the required audit form.

The commission is also undertaking further examination of apparent discrepancies in returns submitted by the European Movement, Ukip, Labour Leave, Grassroots Out and Conservatives In, before deciding whether to open investigations.

Picture: Getty. Leave was outspent by the Remain campaign but prevailed at the polls.

Our graphic shows the big discrepancy between spending on the Leave and Remain sides during campaigning for the EU referendum.