20^th November 2017, London – Transparency International UK welcomes the decision by the Electoral Commission to investigate whether Vote Leave Limited, Mr Darren Grimes and/or Veterans for Britain breached campaign finance rules in the EU referendum.

Earlier assessments by the Commission appeared to be satisfied that there were no reasonable grounds to suggest that Mr Darren Grimes and Vote Leave were working together in their campaign for the UK to leave the EU.

Duncan Hames, Director of Policy, Transparency International UK:

“This action from the Electoral Commission is very welcome and certainly in the public interest. Enforcing the integrity of electoral law is an essential protection against undue influence over the democratic process. Campaign expenditure limits are intended to level the electoral playing field and prevent an unconstrained arms race in campaign spending.

“It is almost inconceivable that campaigners would donate to each other hundreds of thousands of pounds without some assurance or agreement as to what the money would be spent on. The idea that their use of the same principal service provider was somehow not co-ordinated but a mere co-incidence is as implausible as it is convenient for those under investigation.”

***ENDS***

Contact:

Dominic Kavakeb
020 3096 7695
079 6456 0340
Dominic.kavakeb@transparency.org.uk