Tory fine over bus expenses
THE Conservative Party has been fined £70,000 over failing to accurately report its election expenses after an investigation into spending including on the Tory battlebus which visited Runcorn as it toured key marginal seats.
The Electoral Commission said there were ‘significant failures’ by the party to report accurately on how much it spent on campaigning at three byelections in 2014 and the 2015 General Election.
Its investigation found that the party failed to report £63,486.83 of its total £102,483 Battlebus 2015 spending.
The commission said at least £104,765 of payments were missing from the 2015 parliamentary elections return.
In addition, up to £118,124 was either not reported to the commission or were incorrectly reported.
The commission said a portion of that sum was put in the party’s return when it had been used to promote individual candidates.
It added that the party had not included invoices or receipts for 81 payments to the value of £52,924.
There was also a failure to maintain records explaining amounts invoiced to candidates in three 2014 by-elections.
A total £275,813 was not reported according to the commission’s findings.
The probe was sparked by a Channel 4 News investigation into spending on constituency campaigning that the broadcaster said should have been included in the local returns but was only included in the national returns.
These included spend- ing on the battlebus, which visited marginal seats including a trip by David Cameron to Sandymoor School in Runcorn as part of Weaver Vale Tory candidate Graham Evans’s campaign.
The commission has reported the party treasurer at the time, Simon Day, to the Metropolitan Police.
Cheshire police, which launched an electoral fraud probe in light of the allegations, has now said no crimes were committed in connection with candidates in the county.
A constabulary spokeswoman said: “Cheshire Constabulary has completed its investigation into alleged electoral fraud in relation to expenses submitted following the 2015 General Election.
“After a 12-month time extension was obtained for potential prosecution, a thorough investigation took place with a specific focus on the Weaver Vale and Chester constituencies.
“Having gathered all the evidence available, it has now been established that no criminal offences have been committed, and no further action will be taken.”
Sir John Holmes, Electoral Commission chairman, said: “Our investigation uncovered numerous failures by a large, wellresourced and experienced party to ensure that accurate records of spending were maintained and that all of the party’s spending was reported correctly.
“The rules established by Parliament for political parties and their finances are there to ensure transparency and accountability.
“Where the rules are not followed, it undermines voters’ confidence in our democratic processes, which is why political par- ties need to take their responsibilities under the legislation seriously.” ●