Shady by-election spending by Conservatives in 2014

[Ignitionnet]

Makes you wonder what the story was in the general election too, doesn't it?

Hundreds of pages of receipts obtained by this programme seem to show undeclared expenditure by the party in three crucial parliamentary by-election campaigns in 2014. Michael Crick reports.

I assume this has been reported by Michael Crick/C4 to the Electoral Commission and the Police?

[Ignitionnet]

Unsure, although there's little point in any event.

It's a tad too late and it's not like either of those are going to be interested. The CPS are too busy prosecuting headline grabbing crimes for political reasons and the Electoral Commission are beyond pointless.

The Electoral Commission have certainly had this raised with them, although do the Electoral Commission require a formal complaint to act? I'm not sure if they received one regarding the 'interesting' spending in Thanet at the GE but the question was raised on whether they would act.

I find it eminently believable that political parties of any persuasion would do this if they had the money to, and the Conservatives are by a mile the most well funded party right now.

You'll be pleased to know there's a part 2 coming this evening. So if these claims are false there's copious amounts of opportunity for legal action to prevent publication / broadcast.

Also gives C4 an opportunity once they've strung it out appropriately for views to inform if the files have been passed to the Electoral Commission.

I am not suggesting it's untrue - I'm saying if it is true, it's a criminal offence, and should be dealt with accordingly.

I have to admit, though, I found parts a little hyperbolic - describing staying at an £80 per night hotel as "money seemed no problem"....

[Ignitionnet]

Originally Posted by Hugh

I am not suggesting it's untrue - I'm saying if it is true, it's a criminal offence, and should be dealt with accordingly.

I have to admit, though, I found parts a little hyperbolic - describing staying at an £80 per night hotel as "money seemed no problem"....

Indeed. It's not an especially 'cool' or surprising thing from what I can gather so some hyperbole was probably inevitable.

If anything other political parties, including UKIP, are struggling to produce any enthusiasm. Wonder why...

[Osem]

Originally Posted by Hugh

I am not suggesting it's untrue - I'm saying if it is true, it's a criminal offence, and should be dealt with accordingly.

I have to admit, though, I found parts a little hyperbolic - describing staying at an £80 per night hotel as "money seemed no problem"....

Money's clearly tight at C4 - I dare say Crick and other C4 staff stay in hostels.

[heero_yuy]

Originally Posted by Ignitionnet

Indeed. It's not an especially 'cool' or surprising thing from what I can gather so some hyperbole was probably inevitable.

If anything other political parties, including UKIP, are struggling to produce any enthusiasm. Wonder why...

They're all in it together.

[Ramrod]

Originally Posted by Hugh

describing staying at an £80 per night hotel as "money seemed no problem"....

That's cheap!

[denphone]

£29 to £35 a night if you book a little in advance at some well known places.

[Ignitionnet]

Originally Posted by heero_yuy

They're all in it together.

Pretty much

---------- Post added at 12:18 ---------- Previous post was at 11:41 ----------

http://order-order.com/2016/02/09/ho...lls-in-newark/

Cunning.

[heero_yuy]

Have you read some of the comments on that piece?

Would be interesting to know under what category they put the cost of rent boys for the young Tories who were proclaiming how they were attending the homo-bars.

Probably "Professional fees"

Ah, the commentators on YouTube - trying to make twitter users seem sensible and level-headed...

[Ignitionnet]

Originally Posted by Hugh

I assume this has been reported by Michael Crick/C4 to the Electoral Commission and the Police?

2 complaints have been made to the police.

Too late under Representation of the People Act for the 3 by-elections.

Not too late, however, for potentially dodgy spending during the GE in Thanet South. Electoral Commission investigating.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDvK...l=Channel4News

http://www.channel4.com/news/conserv...s-the-timeline

[Ignitionnet]

http://www.electionexpenses.co.uk/

The elections watchdog has launched a probe into general election campaign spending by the Conservatives linked to the key South Thanet constituency following a Channel 4 News investigation.

Good.

(imagines worried-looking representatives of all major parties, including UKIP, sweating slightly....).