The UK elections watchdog has said it will not re-open an investigation into Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, following days of allegations about donations accepted by an organisation he ran prior to entering No. 10.
The Electoral Commission said this afternoon it had reviewed fresh evidence provided by the Conservative Party, but it had found “no evidence of any other potential offences”.
A spokesman said: “We investigated the late reporting of donations by Labour Together and published our findings in 2021.
“We determined multiple offences including those relating to the late reporting of donations with a cumulative value of £739,492, as well as the failure to appoint a responsible person.
“The fine was significant and reflects the seriousness of the offences determined, for which no reasonable excuse was put forward.
“Earlier this week the Conservative Party wrote to us with concerns that other offences had been committed. We have thoroughly reviewed this information and found no evidence of any other potential offences. We are confident that the initial determination and sanction were appropriate.
“We are therefore not reopening the investigation.”
Earlier this week the Daily Mail revealed that Mr McSweeney dismissed official warnings that he was required to declared the enormous sum in political donations.
Electoral Commission documents showed that the PM’s right-hand man received explicit notification in November 2017 that donations to his Labour Together think-tank fell under electoral law and required declaration.
Yet he proceeded not to declare nearly £740,000 in contributions over the subsequent three years. Labour Together later faced fines for more than 20 electoral law violations concerning unreported donations.
Mr McSweeney still faces huge pressure to explain preciesly why he concealed the substantial sums during his time leading the organisation trying to install Sir Keir as Labour leader.
Conservative chairman Kevin Hollinrake has branded Mr McSweeney’s actions as “hiding” donations in violation of the law – while calling for the commission to involve police.
Last night, he informed the Daily Mail: “The facts are clear. Morgan McSweeney engaged in a significant cover-up of a secret slush fund that he used to install Keir Starmer as Labour leader.
“No matter what spin Labour try and use, these documents and the leaked legal letters show that there is now nowhere for the Prime Minister’s chief of staff to hide, even as Starmer continues to demonstrate his appalling judgment by backing him.
“The Conservatives will not let Labour get away with this.”
This afternoon a Tory Party source told the express “we aren’t stopping, that’s for sure”, despite the knockback from the elections watchdog.
MORE TO COME…
