Do not allow prosecution powers for biased electoral body, say MPs

THE election watchdog has revealed it is pressing ahead with plans to hand itself powers to prosecute campaigners and political parties, angering ministers.

The Electoral Commission is planning to publish a consultation setting out proposals to hand itself a “prosecutions capability”, despite senior Tories insisting that the body is “not trusted to be impartial”.

The disclosure comes after the Metropolitan Police confirmed it had ended investigations into Darren Grimes and Alan Halsall, two proBrexit campaign figures, two years after a referral by the commission for alleged breaches of spending rules.

The move prompted calls for the commission to be “overhauled”, with Mr Grimes describing it as a “kangaroo court” that was not “fit for purpose”.

Separately, the National Crime Agency found no evidence that any criminal offences were committed by Arron Banks, another prominent Brexiteer referred by the watchdog.

Last night, Matthew Elliott, who was the chief executive of the official Vote Leave campaign, claimed that the commission’s record showed that if it acquired the new powers, “there will be countless travesties of justice”.

Sir Bernard Jenkin, former chairman of the Commons public administration committee, said: “These proposals appear to be doubling down on a failed system. Parliament should change it.”

Another Conservative MP said: “I can’t think of any public body that is less deserving of prosecuting powers than the Electoral Commission, who have shown themselves to be biased and, frankly, vindictive.”

Last year, Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Leader of the Commons, and Brandon Lewis both expressed alarm at the watchdog’s plans to hand itself powers currently exercised by the police and Crown Prosecution Service – after the move was revealed by this newspaper.

The watchdog has faced accusations of bias against bodies that campaigned for Brexit in 2016, which it denies.

The commission claims it could hand itself the powers without ministers bringing forward legislation, by altering its enforcement policy following a public consultation – due to open in the coming weeks.