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| Tory election spending: CPS announces it will not charge Conservative candidates amid campaign spending allegations | Tory election spending: CPS announces it will not charge Conservative candidates amid campaign spending allegations |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The Crown Prosecution Service has announced it will make no charges against Conservative candidates who were alleged to have broken election spending rules. | The Crown Prosecution Service has announced it will make no charges against Conservative candidates who were alleged to have broken election spending rules. |
| Offences were said to have taken place in the run up to the 2015 election, but the CPS said in most cases the matter will not be taken forward with a single case still under consideration. | Offences were said to have taken place in the run up to the 2015 election, but the CPS said in most cases the matter will not be taken forward with a single case still under consideration. |
| In a statement on Wednesday CPS Head of Special Crime Nick Vamos said "no criminal charges have been authorised", but angry Tory MPs claimed there had been a "witchhunt" and cabinet minister Patrick McLoughlin said "malicious claims" had been made. | In a statement on Wednesday CPS Head of Special Crime Nick Vamos said "no criminal charges have been authorised", but angry Tory MPs claimed there had been a "witchhunt" and cabinet minister Patrick McLoughlin said "malicious claims" had been made. |
| The allegations related to claims that incorrect expenses were filed for the party’s campaign 2015 battle bus, which travelled the country during that year's election. | The allegations related to claims that incorrect expenses were filed for the party’s campaign 2015 battle bus, which travelled the country during that year's election. |
| Candidates were accused of labelling spending on hotels and campaign material as national spending rather than local, potentially allowing them to increase their constituency campaigning without breaking a legal spending ceiling. | Candidates were accused of labelling spending on hotels and campaign material as national spending rather than local, potentially allowing them to increase their constituency campaigning without breaking a legal spending ceiling. |
| Mr Vamos said: "We reviewed the files in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and have concluded the tests in the Code are not met and no criminal charges have been authorised." | Mr Vamos said: "We reviewed the files in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and have concluded the tests in the Code are not met and no criminal charges have been authorised." |
| He explained the CPS had considered evidence from 14 police forces in respect of allegations relating to Conservative candidates' expenditure during the 2015 election. | He explained the CPS had considered evidence from 14 police forces in respect of allegations relating to Conservative candidates' expenditure during the 2015 election. |
| Mr Vamos went on: "Under the Representation of the People Act, every candidate and agent must sign a declaration on the expenses return that to the best of their knowledge and belief it is a complete and correct return as required by law. | Mr Vamos went on: "Under the Representation of the People Act, every candidate and agent must sign a declaration on the expenses return that to the best of their knowledge and belief it is a complete and correct return as required by law. |
| "It is an offence to knowingly make a false declaration. In order to bring a charge, it must be proved that a suspect knew the return was inaccurate and acted dishonestly in signing the declaration. | "It is an offence to knowingly make a false declaration. In order to bring a charge, it must be proved that a suspect knew the return was inaccurate and acted dishonestly in signing the declaration. |
| "Although there is evidence to suggest the returns may have been inaccurate, there is insufficient evidence to prove to the criminal standard that any candidate or agent was dishonest." | "Although there is evidence to suggest the returns may have been inaccurate, there is insufficient evidence to prove to the criminal standard that any candidate or agent was dishonest." |
| The Conservatives have already admitted under-declaring spending on their national 2015 campaign and were fined £70,000 as a result, but they insist all local spending was properly declared. | |
| The Metropolitan Police is also considering whether the treasurer at the time, Simon Day, 'knowingly or recklessly made a false declaration'. While the CPS is still considering one case file handed in by Kent Police. | |
| But in a strong response, Conservative Party Chairman Mr McLoughlin said that the situation had been exacerbated by "false and malicious claims" about Tory candidates on the internet. | |
| He said: "After a very thorough investigation, we are pleased that the legal authorities have confirmed what we believed was the case all along, that these Conservative candidates did nothing wrong. | He said: "After a very thorough investigation, we are pleased that the legal authorities have confirmed what we believed was the case all along, that these Conservative candidates did nothing wrong. |
| "These were politically motivated and unfounded complaints that have wasted police time. We are glad that this matter is finally resolved." | "These were politically motivated and unfounded complaints that have wasted police time. We are glad that this matter is finally resolved." |
| Tory candidates involved who are standing for re-election hit back this morning. Karl McCartney, standing in Lincoln, said: "This whole saga amounts to no more than a politically-motivated witch-hunt." | Tory candidates involved who are standing for re-election hit back this morning. Karl McCartney, standing in Lincoln, said: "This whole saga amounts to no more than a politically-motivated witch-hunt." |
| Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn told BBC: "I am interested and surprised by it. We will have to look at the details." | Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn told BBC: "I am interested and surprised by it. We will have to look at the details." |