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.”
The Tories have pledged to continue pressing the issue (Image: Alamy)
“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.
Responding to the Electoral Commission, Mr Holinrake warned: “This is not over”.
“The Electoral Commission’s decision not to investigate McSweeney is wrong. The Commission must now publish all of their Morgan McSweeney Files to ensure the public has full transparency.
“It is clear that Morgan McSweeney deceived the Electoral Commission, but has dodged a criminal offence on a technicality. This loophole won’t wash.
“The Conservatives uncovered clear evidence of McSweeney’s industrial scale cover up of a slush fund used to install Keir Starmer as Labour Leader. Despite the denials of Labour and Nothing to See Here Keir, it is clear that the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff still has very serious questions to answer.
“This is not over, we will continue to reveal more evidence, and continue to push for a full investigation by the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner into Keir Starmer. The British public deserve the full truth, not another cover-up, and the Conservatives will continue to fight until they get that.”
A Labour Party spokesman hit back: “In a pathetic and desperate attempt to stay relevant, the Tories only hope is to throw mud at the wall and hope something sticks. There isn’t a low that they won’t stoop to. They can’t be trusted and they haven’t changed. The Electoral Commission considers this matter closed.”
