Just got off the phone with the Electoral Commission. They are taking the “we can’t comment on an ongoing police investigation” line (© T. Blair). They however offered to direct Guido to the relevant legislation, which states
Forfeiture of donations made by impermissible or unidentifiable donors
(1) This section applies to any donation received by a registered party—
(a) which, … the party are prohibited from accepting, but
(b) which has been accepted by the party.
(2) The court may, on an application made by the Commission, order the forfeiture by the party of an amount equal to the value of the donation.
(3) The standard of proof in proceedings on an application under this section shall be that applicable to civil proceedings.
(4) An order may be made under this section whether or not proceedings are brought against any person for an offence connected with the donation.
The Electoral Commission works for you, it costs millions yet it rarely seems to show any teeth, If you think they should get on with it and confiscate the money forthwith, email vmarkos@electoralcommission.org.uk, Vera Markos – Head of Strategy and Secretary to the Commission asking them to do their statutory duty swiftly.
What are they waiting for? The Labour party admits the donations were impermissable.
