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EU referendum: Voter extension 'may be legally challenged' | EU referendum: Voter extension 'may be legally challenged' |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The EU referendum could face a legal challenge after the deadline for voter registration was extended. | The EU referendum could face a legal challenge after the deadline for voter registration was extended. |
Arron Banks, funder of the Leave.EU campaign, is considering launching a judicial review. | Arron Banks, funder of the Leave.EU campaign, is considering launching a judicial review. |
Mr Banks said changing the law during a campaign was unprecedented, unconstitutional and potentially grounds for a legal challenge. | Mr Banks said changing the law during a campaign was unprecedented, unconstitutional and potentially grounds for a legal challenge. |
A Britain Stronger in Europe source said Mr Banks was entitled to spend his money as he wished. | A Britain Stronger in Europe source said Mr Banks was entitled to spend his money as he wished. |
The website for registering voters failed shortly before the original midnight Tuesday deadline. | The website for registering voters failed shortly before the original midnight Tuesday deadline. |
The BBC understands that if there is another glitch before the new deadline of midnight on Thursday the registration period will not be extended again. | The BBC understands that if there is another glitch before the new deadline of midnight on Thursday the registration period will not be extended again. |
The deadline that has been extended covers everywhere apart from Northern Ireland, where the online system was not in use. | |
Mr Banks, an insurance millionaire, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We've got lawyers that are looking at it at the moment. | |
"They are tending to say it's unconstitutional because once you've set the rules you can't really change it halfway through, and Parliament really shouldn't be doing this." | |
'All legal options' | 'All legal options' |
In a statement Mr Banks said: "We believe It is unconstitutional at best and have been advised that with legitimate cause we could challenge this extension. | In a statement Mr Banks said: "We believe It is unconstitutional at best and have been advised that with legitimate cause we could challenge this extension. |
"We are therefore considering all available legal options with our legal team, with a view to potentially launching a judicial review now and after the outcome of the referendum on 23 June." | "We are therefore considering all available legal options with our legal team, with a view to potentially launching a judicial review now and after the outcome of the referendum on 23 June." |
The official leave campaign - Vote Leave, in which Mr Banks plays no part - has said the government is trying to register as many likely remain voters as possible, but stopped short of suggesting that it would consult lawyers. | The official leave campaign - Vote Leave, in which Mr Banks plays no part - has said the government is trying to register as many likely remain voters as possible, but stopped short of suggesting that it would consult lawyers. |
A Britain Stronger in Europe source said: "Mr Banks is entitled to spend his money as he wishes. We'll keep pointing out Britain is stronger, safer and better off in the EU - and leaving is a leap in the dark." | A Britain Stronger in Europe source said: "Mr Banks is entitled to spend his money as he wishes. We'll keep pointing out Britain is stronger, safer and better off in the EU - and leaving is a leap in the dark." |
The chances of any judicial review succeeding are impossible to assess until the legislation on which MPs will vote on Thursday has been published and studied. | The chances of any judicial review succeeding are impossible to assess until the legislation on which MPs will vote on Thursday has been published and studied. |
Leave.EU threatened, but did not bring, a judicial review against the Electoral Commission's decision to make Vote Leave the designated lead out campaign. | Leave.EU threatened, but did not bring, a judicial review against the Electoral Commission's decision to make Vote Leave the designated lead out campaign. |