Election expenses scandal

Arthur Hucksake

Arthur Hucksake

Arthur Hucksake

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Could this potentially change the outcome of the general election?

WEDNESDAY 01 JUNE 2016
Election expenses: Allegations "on an unprecedented scale"


A judge today gave police more time to look into Conservative election expenses in South Thanet, calling the circumstances "far beyond" typical offences.

Kent Police are considering whether Conservative Craig Mackinlay MP (South Thanet) and his agent exceeded the legal spending limit as he beat Ukip leader Nigel Farage in last year's general election.

Today District Judge Barron outlined in court the reasons for extending the time period for Kent Police to investigate.

In his summary in court today he said: "In my judgment the combination of circumstances before me is wholly exceptional and goes far beyond the usual circumstances that would exist in a typical case where election offences are being investigated."
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Full story link below....pretty damning stuff.

http://www.channel4.com/news/election-expenses-allegations-on-an-unprecedented-scale
 
They're deffo guilty - whether or not they'll be found guilty is another matter, and even if they are, I can't see any significant punishment being imposed. I also wonder how much Labour, LibDems and SNP are up to their necks in it as well.
 
Exact same allegations also been made in several constituencies in relation to Labour, Lib Dems and SNP expenses. Nothing new here, they're all at it.
 
Stumble Bum said:
Exact same allegations also been made in several constituencies in relation to Labour, Lib Dems and SNP expenses. Nothing new here, they're all at it.
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Don't make excuses.

As the Judge specifically states, it is the "nature and extent of the allegations being investigated" that makes the South Thanet case particularly important.

"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 results being declared void."

Evidently this case is significant enough to need further scrutiny. If there is enough evidence to remove the MP for South Thanet and bring a prosecution, then that action should go ahead.

There are a lot of unsubstantiated allegations flying about at the moment. It'll take time for the truth of them all to be uncovered. It's premature to suggest that there is a scandal yet, even more of a stretch to suggest it goes beyond the Tory Party. Allegations against others have been made. Those allegations are yet to be tested, let alone fully investigated.

For now, the Tories remain at the forefront of this story. It's Tory MPs that have active police investigations in to their expenses, one of which has just secured a 12 month extension. It's the Tory Party that tried to shut down that application for an extension by challenging the request in court. It's the Tory Party that were asked to hand over all documents relating to their election spending by the Electoral Commission back in February. It is the Tory Party being taken to the High Court by the Electoral Commission in order to secure those documents. It's the Tory Party that have admitted 'administration errors' after evidence showed, quite conclusively, that they have broken the rules. For now, allegations against other parties or their members remain just that - allegations, pending investigation.
 
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I'm pretty sure Receipts & ballots will be (conveniently) lost (burnt)

Then all that'll happen is they get their wrists slapped for failure to account instead of fudging the accounts = No change.
 
Tefal said:
From briefly reading the circumstances it seems more bungling than malevolent
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In most cases, yes. People appear to have made accounting errors, overlooked certain expenses, or misunderstood the rules.

While I don't put much stock in what he says, Guido Fawkes is claiming to have evidence of the Tories spending £200,000 to stop Nigel Farage winning South Thanet. If that's ever remotely correct, this isn't an accounting error.
 
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One or two and you could forgive it but there are over 40 under suspicion now I think?
 
But will it invalidate the election as to do that does it have to be formally done within 12months? By that I mean not complete but evidence and a formal charge?

I think the public want another pop at the Tories tbh lol
 
Election abuses are not acceptable and anyone found doing so should be charged. This is irrelevant of which political party they are from. I also think there should be grounds for a re-run of the vote in the affected area (not limited to 12 months in my opinion).

Unacceptable assuming it's true.
 
platypus said:
Farage and co milk the Euro gravy train because they can't get into the Westminster one.

It's almost as if the people who benefit from the system made the rules. Oh..
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Truth be told why would they want to? The perks of being a Euro MEP are leaps and bounds ahead in what you earn and can do.

Hehe nice 2nd sentence :D
 
If it keeps Nigel Farage out of the House of Commons I'm all for it. I'd even vote Tory (and I really dislike the Tories) if it meant it kept him out.
 
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