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Written question asked by Stewart Malcolm McDonald (Scottish National Party) on Wednesday, 10 April 2019, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 April 2019 (named day). It was answered by Chloe Smith (Conservative) on Monday, 15 April 2019 on behalf of the Cabinet Office.

Vote Leave: Election Offences

Question

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make it Government policy to revoke Article 50 as a result of (a) the recent report of the Electoral Commission into the activities of Vote Leave, and (b) Vote Leave's decision to drop its appeal against alleged fraud committed during the EU referendum in 2016.

Original answer

The consultation Protecting the Debate: Intimidation, Influence and Information was launched last
year. We are currently reviewing the responses and we will issue a response in due course.

The answer was corrected by Chloe Smith (Conservative)

on Tuesday, 23 April 2019 on behalf of the Cabinet Office.

Corrected answer

The consultation Protecting the Debate: Intimidation, Influence and Information was launched last
year. We are currently reviewing the responses and we will issue a response in due course.

The Electoral Commission is the independent regulatory body responsible for ensuring that elections and referendums are run effectively and in accordance with the law. Where it has reason to believe that electoral law has been breached it has the power to investigate, impose sanctions, or refer to the police. The Government has no involvement with Electoral Commission investigations. The Electoral Commission has produced recommendations on campaign finance which the Government is considering. These are not specific to individual cases but are about the wider system.

The Article 50 notification will not be withdrawn. The Government is committed to finding a way to fulfil the democratic decision of the referendum, deliver Brexit and move our country forward.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
243518
Session
2017-19
Subjects
Appeals Fraud Public inquiries Vote Leave Brexit Election offences
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk