Lib Dems hit out at SNP suspicion over election expenses claims
TWO Liberal Democrat MPS face “serious questions” after thousands of pounds were omitted from their general election expenses, the SNP said.
Jo Swinson, the party’s deputy leader, claimed in her official declaration that her spending was £210 under the official limit of £14,619.
It has since emerged that almost £7,000 was not listed in her expenses but attributed to national spending and undelivered campaign materials.
The East Dunbartonshire MP said more than 93,000 leaflets and other material bought by the party for £2,700 were never used so could be omitted from the total, as could £4,040 that went on national spending, promoting the party rather than her.
It came as another of the 12 Lib Dem MPS, Christine Jardine, defended her election record after questions were raised over her spending, calling it the “weakest story ever”.
The MP for Edinburgh West has been accused of allocating a third of her election material bill to national spending because it promoted the Lib Dems rather than her specifically.
Ms Jardine would have been £1,350 over the legal spending cap if this £3,000 had been counted towards her constituency campaign costs.
An SNP spokesman said: “Voters will find it hard to believe so much cash could be spent on leaflets that just vanished. These revelations raise serious questions over the Lib Dems’ campaign in East Dunbartonshire. People have a right to know what has gone on here. The Lib Dems should know better.
“There could be serious consequences if it is found electoral rules have been flouted for political gain.”
A Lib Dem spokesman added: “All Liberal Democrat 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 by 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 but they should accept that they were beaten in a fair fight in seats right across Scotland.”
Ms Jardine last night told BBC Radio Scotland: “The Electoral Commission rules are there for a reason and I am confident that we have followed that advice, at all times. It’s one of the weakest stories I’ve ever seen and is nothing more than an exercise in reputational damage. Everything that we sent out was accounted for in our filing.”