"Essex Police said it could not investigate the Clacton MP because more than a year had passed since the alleged offence. It followed a former member of Farage's campaign team claiming Reform spent more than the 20,660 spending limit set by law. A police spokeswoman said: "Any prosecution for such an offence must commence within one year." She said an "allegation around misreported expenditure by a political candidate" in July 2024 was made on 5 December."
"He alleged the party failed to declare spending on some leaflets, banners, utility bills and the refurbishment of a bar in the Clacton constituency office. Documents were passed to the Metropolitan Police, which transferred the case to Essex Police. The latter said the one-year time frame for investigating an alleged offence was enshrined in the Representation of the People Act 1983."
Essex Police concluded it cannot investigate alleged overspending by Reform UK in the Clacton constituency because the alleged offence occurred more than a year before the report, and prosecutions must commence within one year under the Representation of the People Act 1983. An allegation about misreported expenditure in July 2024 was made on 5 December. Ex-Reform campaigner Richard Everett alleged undeclared spending on leaflets, banners, utility bills and the refurbishment of a bar in the Clacton constituency office. Documents were passed from the Metropolitan Police to Essex Police. Farage became Reform UK leader in June 2024 and won Clacton with a majority of more than 8,000. The Electoral Commission could still investigate.
Read at www.bbc.com
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