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Early day motion tabled by primary sponsor Patrick Nicholls (Conservative), on Wednesday, 16 March 1994, in the House of Commons. It is signed by 7 members in total.

ELECTION EXPENDITURE IN TORBAY

That this House notes that the Devon and Cornwall Police are currently investigating apparent discrepancies in Liberal Democrat election expenditure returns for all 11 of Torbay's Devon County Council seats; further notes that the allegations could lead to criminal charges and disqualifications, severely damaging the Liberal Democrat minority administration on Devon County Council; observes that one of the allegations concerns a newspaper which, though clearly promoting Liberal Democrat candidates, had apparently not been declared as an election expenditure; is reminded that the bogus local newspaper, deliberately designed to mislead the electorate, is one of the Liberal Democrat's favourite campaigning tricks, and is actively encouraged in the Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors' Campaign Guide, No. 1; and calls upon all those under investigation to co-operate fully with the police in their enquiries.

Amendments

The Early day motion has received an amendment.

ELECTION EXPENDITURE IN TORBAY (885A1)
The Early day motion has received an amendment sponsored by Nick Harvey (primary, Liberal Democrat) and tabled on Wednesday, 4 May 1994. It has been signed by 3 members in total.
leave out from 'Police' to end and add 'have concluded that there are no charges to answer nor grounds for any prosecutions relating to expenditure returns for Devon County Council elections; regrets that Torbay Labour Party saw fit to waste police time and public money pursuing political and personal vendettas; and expresses its distaste at the antics of those conservatives who climbed aboard the issue for party political point-scoring purposes before the Police had determined all the facts.'.

Secondary information

Type
Early day motion
Reference
885 
885A1 
Session
1993-94
Subjects
Elections Expenditure Liberal Democrat Devon County Council
Link
View this Early day motion on www.parliament.uk