Police Get More Time For Tory Expenses Probe

Police have been granted another year to investigate whether the Conservative party overspent to stop Nigel Farage becoming an MP.

A judge at Folkestone Magistrates Court has allowed officers in Kent more time to probe the contest in South Thanet - won by Tory Craig Mackinlay.

District judge Justin Barron said the claims surrounding the party’s expenses were on an "unprecedented scale" and could result in "election results being declared void".

Mr Mackinlay’s victory, by 2,800 votes, was a highlight of the General Election night for the Conservatives who had campaigned hard in the swing seat.

But an investigation has found hotel bills for Conservative campaigners staying nearby were not declared on his election return - which would have far exceeded the legal spending limits.

The Conservatives had sent teams of mainly young activists, known as Team 2015, across the country on battle buses to canvass for the party.

But their accommodation and travel costs were not always declared on each MP’s return.

Some were declared on the party’s national expenses, where the limits are higher.

The Conservatives insist these activists were campaigning nationally, not for individual MPs, and that all their spending was "properly declared in accordance with the law".

Making a false declaration is a criminal offence.

Mackinlay was up against Nigel Farage in South Thanet

Evidence from up to 30 constituencies the buses visited has now been referred to police who will investigate whether it was declared incorrectly.

There are understood to be 18 other police forces which have sought or been given an extension to investigate Conservative election expenses across the country.

Under the Representation of the People Act, police ordinarily only have one year after an election return has been submitted, to bring a case.

South Thanet was the only request which was contested by the Conservative party, who employed leading QC James Laddie to oppose the police being granted more time.

Spending limits for each constituency are small - it was £15,000 in South Thanet, and Mr Mackinlay’s return shows his campaign spent just within the limit at £14,837.

But hotel bills suggest another £18,900 was spent on putting up campaigners in local hotels.

The Electoral Commission are also investigating whether election rules were broken.

Judge Barron’s judgement says he extended the time limit due to "exceptional circumstances" and the "very significant public interest in the matter being fully investigated".

He said: "In this case the allegations are far reaching and the consequences of a conviction would be of a local and national significance with the potential for election result being declared void."

One of these circumstances was the "nature and extent of the enquiry with the involvement of the Electoral Commission and investigations taking place not just in South Thanet but across the country."

Mr Laddie had argued, for the Conservative party, that the allegations were made public by Channel 4 News in January and the police had not investigated the matter for several months.