The Conservative party has been fined £10,750 by the Electoral Commission for failing to accurately report non-cash donations worth more than £200,000.
Peanuts for a party with questionable attitudes to donations. – Owl
The donations related to an employee who had been seconded to the party by a donor. The commission said:
“The party under-reported non-cash donations, in the form of an employee seconded to the party by a donor between April 2020 to December 2023. The non-cash donations were under reported by more than £200,000, when the seconded employee went from part-time to full-time work at the party.
The party also reported late a single non-cash donation relating to the same seconded employee, in December 2023.”
Louise Edwards, director of regulation and digital transformation at the commission, said:
“Our investigation into the Conservative and Unionist Party found a number of donations inaccurately reported or reported late. The political finance laws we enforce are there to ensure transparency in how parties are funded and to increase public confidence in our system, so it’s important donations are fully and clearly reported.
Where we find offences, we carefully consider the circumstances before deciding whether to impose a sanction. We take into account a range of factors before making our final decision, including proportionality.”
East Devon Watch 