This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/feb/18/coservative-party-under-investigation-over-south-thanet-campaign

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Conservative party under investigation over South Thanet campaign Conservative party under investigation over South Thanet campaign
(35 minutes later)
The Conservatives are under investigation by the electoral watchdog over allegations they falsely reported their campaign spending in South Thanet, where the party stopped Ukip leader Nigel Farage winning a parliamentary seat in May.The Conservatives are under investigation by the electoral watchdog over allegations they falsely reported their campaign spending in South Thanet, where the party stopped Ukip leader Nigel Farage winning a parliamentary seat in May.
The Electoral Commission announced it was opening an investigation into the party’s whole spending return at the 2015 general election after a report on Channel 4 News alleged they exceeded local spending limits.The Electoral Commission announced it was opening an investigation into the party’s whole spending return at the 2015 general election after a report on Channel 4 News alleged they exceeded local spending limits.
Kent police have declined to investigate the allegations but the Electoral Commission’s decision to investigate may prompt law enforcement authorities to take it more seriously.Kent police have declined to investigate the allegations but the Electoral Commission’s decision to investigate may prompt law enforcement authorities to take it more seriously.
In a significant move, the Electoral Commission took the opportunity to remind Kent police that there is a year’s time limit on their ability to investigate relevant criminal offences under electoral law.In a significant move, the Electoral Commission took the opportunity to remind Kent police that there is a year’s time limit on their ability to investigate relevant criminal offences under electoral law.
It underlined the fact that “unless the police apply to the courts for an extension, which they are entitled to do under the Representation of the People Act, they will have missed the opportunity to investigate any allegations.”It underlined the fact that “unless the police apply to the courts for an extension, which they are entitled to do under the Representation of the People Act, they will have missed the opportunity to investigate any allegations.”
“Anyone found guilty of an offence under the RPA 1983 relating to candidate spending or the making of a false declaration in relation to candidate spending, could face imprisonment of up to one year, and or an unlimited fine,” it added. “Anyone found guilty of an offence under the RPA 1983 relating to candidate spending or the making of a false declaration in relation to candidate spending, could face imprisonment of up to one year and/or an unlimited fine,” it added.
The Electoral Commission itself has no powers to investigate or sanction candidate spending offences under the RPA but it can investigate national campaign spending with the power to levy a fine of up to £20,000. The Electoral Commission itself has no powers to investigate or sanction candidate spending offences under the RPA but it can investigate national campaign spending, with the power to levy a fine of up to £20,000.
Campaign spending is subject to a strict limit in each constituency to ensure the results are not skewed in favour of richer candidates or parties but the Conservatives are accused of including local spending in their national figures. Campaign spending is subject to a strict limit in each constituency to ensure the results are not skewed in favour of richer candidates or parties, but the Conservatives are accused of including local spending in their national figures.
The Commission inquiry will focus on whether the spending reported by the party in its 2015 return was accurate. The watchdog’s inquiry will focus on whether the spending reported by the party in its 2015 return was accurate.
This includes whether the Conservative party’s spending on hotel bills in relation to the Royal Harbour Hotel Ramsgate and Premier Inn Margate were really national campaign spending.This includes whether the Conservative party’s spending on hotel bills in relation to the Royal Harbour Hotel Ramsgate and Premier Inn Margate were really national campaign spending.
Its statement added: “The priority of the Electoral Commission is to conduct a fair and thorough investigation and the time taken to complete an investigation varies on a case-by-case basis.Its statement added: “The priority of the Electoral Commission is to conduct a fair and thorough investigation and the time taken to complete an investigation varies on a case-by-case basis.
“Once the investigation is complete, the Commission will be able to decide whether any breaches have occurred and if so what further action, if any, may be appropriate. The Commission’s sanctioning powers are limited to a civil penalty of up to £20,000.”“Once the investigation is complete, the Commission will be able to decide whether any breaches have occurred and if so what further action, if any, may be appropriate. The Commission’s sanctioning powers are limited to a civil penalty of up to £20,000.”