Lib Dem MP defended over election spend

Questions for deputy leader after thousands of pounds were omitted

The Liberal Democrats have defended their deputy leader, East Dunbartonshire MP Jo Swinson, after questions were raised over her election expenses.

The SNP said she is facing “serious questions” after thousands of pounds were omitted from her expenses as they were attributed to national spending and undelivered campaign materials.

Her official declaration for the June election indicates her spending was £210 under the official limit of £14,619, the Herald reports.

She said more than 93,000 leaflets and other material bought by the party at a cost of £2,700 were never used so could be omitted from the total, as could £4,040 which went on national spending promoting the party rather than her as a candidate.

An SNP spokesman said: “Voters will find it hard to believe so much cash could be spent on leaflets that just vanished. It was an election, not an illusion show.

“These revelations raise serious questions over the Lib Dems’ campaign in East Dunbartonshire.

“The Lib Dems should know better after previous probes into their spending. There could be serious consequences if it is found electoral rules have been flouted for political gain.”

Ms Swinson reclaimed the seat from the SNP’s John Nicolson with a 5,339 majority, having previously held it for a decade after first being elected in 2005.

In 2015, she lost out to Mr Nicolson by 2,167 votes and winning the seat back was a key target for her party in June.

Individual candidate spending is governed by the Representation of the People Act and being convicted of submitting a false spending return can result in up to a year in jail.

Separately, Scottish Lib Dem general election campaign director Alex Cole Hamilton was reported to the procurator fiscal in relation to alleged “financial irregularities” in his campaign spending in 2016, which the party has denied.

A Lib Dem spokesman said: “All Lib Dem candidates follow the clear guidance they are given about election spending, and our party’s compliance team are in constant dialogue with the Electoral Commission to ensure that we are abreast of the latest advice and abide fully by all their requirements.

“All expenditure in this election was apportioned correctly and clearly identified in our election return, which is now a matter of public record.

“It’s understandable that the SNP are smarting from a disappointing result, but they should accept that they were beaten in a fair fight in seats right across Scotland, and concentrate instead on the important business of running the country.”

Jo Swinson said more than 93,000 leaflets and other material bought by the party at a cost of £2,700 were never used.