No evidence that Remain campaigners breached spending rules, says agency

Claims that Remain campaigners breached spending rules have been rejected by the Electoral Commission.

Former international development secretary Priti Patel complained three videos from lead Remain campaign group Britain Stronger in Europe (BSIE) should have been declared as “joint spending”.

Ms Patel, who resigned in disgrace after secret meetings with the Israeli government, also made allegations about late registration of campaigners associated with BSIE.

The Electoral Commission found there was no evidence of joint working on the videos or grounds to suspect a breach of joint spending rules.

It said the company under investigation, DDB, also known as Adam and Eve, was a registered campaigner and reported spending correctly. “In this matter, there is not sufficient grounds to suspect that BSIE breached the joint spending rules,” the commission said.

“It was alleged that five campaigners were set up by BSIE and acted under a common plan. The commission has not been provided with or found evidence for an investigation to be opened.”

A new investigation has been opened into another registered campaigner, Wake Up and Vote.