Wiltshire Police were today (May 26) granted a time extension for its investigation into election expenses in the Chippenham constituency during the 2015 General Election campaign.
In a statement, Detective Sergeant Jonathan Lee from Wiltshire Police’s Fraud Department, said: “Wiltshire Police have today been successful in their application to extend the time for the investigation relating to the alleged malpractice of local election expenses, surrounding Chippenham MP Michelle Donelan and former Chippenham MP Duncan Hames.”
“There will now follow a proportionate investigation by us until we receive further direction and evidence from the Electoral Commission following its investigation.”
In February the Electoral Commission announced that it had opened an investigation into allegations regarding the Conservative Party spending return at the 2015 UK Parliamentary General Election. Allegations about Conservative spending at constituency level were first made by Channel 4 News on 20 January 2016.
Under the Representation of the People Act police investigations into elections can only be undertaken within twelve months of an election – unless an extension is granted by a court.
Take a break from weeding and visit a garden with an exhibition of contemporary sculpture
