Political Party election expenditure revealed

A report released today by the Electoral Commission has revealed the extent of expenditure by local political parties during last year's general election campaign.

The report revealed that political parties spent over half a million pounds in Northern Ireland on their campaigns, with the Ulster Unionist Party coming out as the biggest spenders, having squandered over £250,000 on their election drive, with around £112, 000 spent on advertising, to win only one Westminster seat.

Despite the huge spend, more than any other Northern Ireland party, the UUP lost three seats to the DUP and one seat to the SDLP.

Today's report also revealed that the Omagh Hospital campaigner Dr Kieran Deeny, overspent by £1,400, however, he still managed to lose the seat to Sinn Fein's Pat Doherty.

The West Tyrone Assembly member has today admitted the overspending was a genuine mistake.

The Electoral Commission's report also stated that the SDLP were the second highest in campaign expenditure, forking out a total of £154,089 in 18 constituencies, including £81,240 on advertising costs.

The Democratic Unionist Party is reported to have spent £107,133 including a staggering £13,000 on transport costs.

Sinn Fein are reported to have spent the least amount of money out of all the local parties and still managed to gain two additional seats in Newry and Armagh.

(EF/SP)