Menu
17/07/2018
Vote Leave Fined And Referred To PSNI
Brexit campaign group Vote Leave has been fined and referred to the PSNI for breaking electoral law, the Electoral Commission has confirmed.
The commission said "significant evidence" was found during an investigation of joint working between the lead leave campaigner, Vote Leave, and the campaign group BeLeave.
The commission said: "Evidence shows that BeLeave spent more than £675,000 with Aggregate IQ under a common plan with Vote Leave.
"This spending should have been declared by Vote Leave.
"It means Vote Leave exceeded its legal spending limit of £7 million by almost £500,000.
"Vote Leave also returned an incomplete and inaccurate spending report, with nearly £234,501 reported incorrectly, and invoices missing for £12,849.99 of spending.
"Darren Grimes, the founder of the BeLeave campaign group, was found to have committed two offences and has been fined £20,000.
"Mr Grimes spent more than £675,000 on behalf of BeLeave, a non-registered campaigner that had a spending limit of £10,000.
"Further, he wrongly reported that same spending as his own.
"The commission has now referred both Mr David Halsall, the responsible person for Vote Leave, and Mr Grimes to the Metropolitan Police in relation to false declarations of campaign spending."
The commission imposed fines of £61,000 on Vote Leave.
(CD/MH)
The commission said "significant evidence" was found during an investigation of joint working between the lead leave campaigner, Vote Leave, and the campaign group BeLeave.
The commission said: "Evidence shows that BeLeave spent more than £675,000 with Aggregate IQ under a common plan with Vote Leave.
"This spending should have been declared by Vote Leave.
"It means Vote Leave exceeded its legal spending limit of £7 million by almost £500,000.
"Vote Leave also returned an incomplete and inaccurate spending report, with nearly £234,501 reported incorrectly, and invoices missing for £12,849.99 of spending.
"Darren Grimes, the founder of the BeLeave campaign group, was found to have committed two offences and has been fined £20,000.
"Mr Grimes spent more than £675,000 on behalf of BeLeave, a non-registered campaigner that had a spending limit of £10,000.
"Further, he wrongly reported that same spending as his own.
"The commission has now referred both Mr David Halsall, the responsible person for Vote Leave, and Mr Grimes to the Metropolitan Police in relation to false declarations of campaign spending."
The commission imposed fines of £61,000 on Vote Leave.
(CD/MH)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
28 February 2024
PAC Group To Create New Jobs With £1.3m Expansion
Belfast's PAC Group has announced that it will create new jobs with a £1.3 million investment in its engineering operations. The expansion follows export contract wins of £2.
PAC Group To Create New Jobs With £1.3m Expansion
Belfast's PAC Group has announced that it will create new jobs with a £1.3 million investment in its engineering operations. The expansion follows export contract wins of £2.
31 January 2024
BT Group To Hire 40 Apprentices And Graduates In Belfast
BT Group has announced plans to recruit nearly 40 apprentices and graduates in Belfast for its intake in September this year. A total of 39 positions will be recruited to include 28 graduate roles and 11 apprenticeships.
BT Group To Hire 40 Apprentices And Graduates In Belfast
BT Group has announced plans to recruit nearly 40 apprentices and graduates in Belfast for its intake in September this year. A total of 39 positions will be recruited to include 28 graduate roles and 11 apprenticeships.
15 April 2024
Assembly Members Form New All Party Group On Skills
Highlighting the importance of skills development and supply for all sectors in Northern Ireland, a new All Party Group on Skills has been established at the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Assembly Members Form New All Party Group On Skills
Highlighting the importance of skills development and supply for all sectors in Northern Ireland, a new All Party Group on Skills has been established at the Northern Ireland Assembly.
07 March 2024
Terrorism Threat Level Reduced To 'SUBSTANTIAL'
The threat of a terrorist attack in Northern Ireland has been lowered from 'SEVERE' to 'SUBSTANTIAL' by UK Security Service, MI5. This means that the threat of terrorism has gone from 'Highly likely' to 'likely'.
Terrorism Threat Level Reduced To 'SUBSTANTIAL'
The threat of a terrorist attack in Northern Ireland has been lowered from 'SEVERE' to 'SUBSTANTIAL' by UK Security Service, MI5. This means that the threat of terrorism has gone from 'Highly likely' to 'likely'.
23 January 2024
£115,000 Announced For Belfast 'Grey To Green' Initiative
Funding of almost £115,000 has been announced to progress new 'green projects' in Belfast, as part of the 'A Bolder Vision for Belfast' initiative.
£115,000 Announced For Belfast 'Grey To Green' Initiative
Funding of almost £115,000 has been announced to progress new 'green projects' in Belfast, as part of the 'A Bolder Vision for Belfast' initiative.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A mostly cloudy start with scattered showers, the showers becoming more isolated and largely confined to the south this morning. Becoming brighter this afternoon, the best of any sunnier spells across northern counties. Northerly winds easing. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:A dry evening with late sunny spells and some long clear spells overnight. Becoming cloudier across the north towards dawn with a few showers possible. Touch of frost in south. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
