Written question asked by Lord Rennard (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 27 January 2025, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 10 February 2025. It was answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Labour) on Thursday, 6 February 2025 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Elections: Fraud

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reporting by The Sunday Times on 26 January regarding the robustness and transparency of police investigations into allegations of illegal election campaign activities, and in particular, of investigations into election materials produced in the Leicester South constituency in the 2024 general election.

Answer

Any individual or organisation wishing to influence the electorate should be prepared to be transparent about their activity. Campaigners are required to include an imprint with their name and address on a wide range of printed and digital election campaigning material in scope of the rules.

It is an offence to distribute printed or digital election campaign material without a correct imprint. There are also strict local campaign spending rules for political parties, candidates and third-party campaigners.

Any offences are a matter for the Electoral Commission or the police to enforce depending on the facts of the case. Police forces and the Electoral Commission are operationally independent of government.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: HL4440
Session: 2024-26
Subjects: Campaigns Fraud Elections The Sunday Times Leicester South
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

Elections: Fraud

Secondary information

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