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EU referendum: Voter extension 'may be legally challenged' EU referendum: Voter extension may be legally challenged by Arron Banks
(about 1 hour later)
The EU referendum could face a legal challenge after the deadline for voter registration was extended. A prominent Leave campaigner is considering launching a legal challenge after the government extended the EU referendum voter registration deadline.
Arron Banks, funder of the Leave.EU campaign, is considering launching a judicial review. Leave.EU founder Arron Banks said there were grounds for a judicial review of the "unconstitutional" move.
Mr Banks said changing the law during a campaign was unprecedented, unconstitutional and potentially grounds for a legal challenge. It comes after the government website for registering voters failed just before Tuesday's original deadline.
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 government is to publish emergency legislation to allow people to register until 23:59 BST on Thursday.
The extension to the deadline covers everywhere apart from Northern Ireland, where the online system was not in use.
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 an interview for BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Banks, an insurance millionaire, told political correspondent Ross Hawkins: "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."
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. There were calls to extend the deadline from across the political divide after the online problems emerged, although some Conservative backbench MPs have criticised the move.
BBC political correspondent Ross Hawkins said many Leave campaigners see the deadline extension as a "fix" because they think people signing up late will be younger and therefore more likely to support the EU.
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.