Election latest: Reaction to CPS decision on 2015 cases

Summary

CPS: No charges over 2015 battle bus
One file, for Kent, still being considered
Tories: 'Politically motivated complaints'
Labour and Lib Dem education pledges
The election is on 8 June

Live Reporting

Martha Buckley and Jackie Storer

Conservative candidate wants 'heads to roll'published at 11:40 British Summer Time 10 May 2017
BBC political editor for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire tweets...
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For those following political news from across the Atlanticpublished at 11:40 British Summer Time 10 May 2017
BBC Parliament producer tweets...
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Here's the full story about President Trump firing the FBI boss
On Wednesday's Daily Politicspublished at 11:38 British Summer Time 10 May 2017
The Daily Politics
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Andrew Neil and Jo Coburn will be joined by UKIP leader Paul Nuttall as guest of the day to discuss the latest political news ahead of June’s general election.
There will be analysis of Labour’s school funding plans, an interview with Sophie Walker, leader of the Women’s Equality Party, and looking at tactical voting with Caroline Lucas, while Adam Fleming hears the views of voters in Chester.
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How are election campaign expenses calculated?published at 11:37 British Summer Time 10 May 2017
Image source, Getty Images
Campaign spending by candidates during a general election is strictly controlled by election law.
During the "short campaign" - which begins once a candidate declares their intention to stand following the dissolution of Parliament and runs to polling day - all candidates can spend a fixed sum of £8,700.
This is then topped up by a variable amount depending on the size of the constituency.
In borough constituencies it is 6p for each registered elector, while candidates in county constituencies get an additional 9p per elector.
For a borough with 70,000 electors that would mean a maximum spend of £12,900, while in a county seat with the same number of electors the limit would be £15,000.
The limit covers any expenses incurred for the purposes of the candidate's election, including advertising, leaflets, accommodation, transport costs, and administrative expenses.
Spending by the national party in a constituency also counts towards the limit if it specifically promotes the local candidate, such as a leaflet or letter to voters introducing the candidate and their policies.
Items which promote the party, such as posters with the party name but not identifying the candidate, are not included and would count towards the party's national spending limit.
Candidates, or their agents, must submit their campaign spending returns to their local returning officer within 35 days of the election result being declared.
Our election laws must be enforced - Corbynpublished at 11:32 British Summer Time 10 May 2017
More from Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who said he was "interested and surprised" and would look at the details of the decision of the Crown Prosecution Service not to bring charges over Conservative election spending on battle buses in 2015.
Speaking at an event in Leeds, Mr Corbyn said that the CPS, the Electoral Commission and the Director of Public Prosecutions were all independent and they had to make the judgement.
He added:
Quote Message
Our election laws must be enforced, adhered to. There are strict spending limits for a reason, so that money can't buy power, only votes and the ballot box should be able to get power and that's why I want you all to register to vote."
What was behind expenses investigation?published at 11:29 British Summer Time 10 May 2017
Image source, Getty Images
Conservative candidates and party officials were accused of failing accurately to report how much was spent on the 2015 general election campaign and on three by-elections.
The issue centred around the party's 'Battle Bus'. Some of the expenses for it were declared as part of the national campaign, and the CPS looked at whether there was a deliberate intention not to declare them as part of local expenditure.
Our Q&A looks at the details, here.
'Something for everybody' on the Daily Politicspublished at 11:28 British Summer Time 10 May 2017
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Watch: Lib Dem leader challenged over Brexitpublished at 11:27 British Summer Time 10 May 2017
Tim Farron was handed a note with a question as he got on his bus after a school visit in Cornwall.
Alex Salmond: 'Election is not solely about Scottish independence'published at 11:26 British Summer Time 10 May 2017
BBC Radio 5 live tweets...
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Conservatives warn about making false claimspublished at 11:25 British Summer Time 10 May 2017
Conservative Party chairman Patrick McLoughlin said...
Quote Message
A number of false and malicious claims continue to be spread on the internet. People should be aware that making false claims about a candidate’s personal character and conduct is an electoral offence, as well as being defamatory."
Corbyn's first reaction to CPS decisionpublished at 11:18 British Summer Time 10 May 2017
BBC assistant political editor tweets...
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Tory chairman: Candidates 'did nothing wrong'published at 11:18 British Summer Time 10 May 2017
Image source, AFP/Getty Images
Conservative Party chairman Sir Patrick McLoughlin welcomes the CPS decision, saying "these Conservative candidates did nothing wrong".
In a statement, he claims: "These were politically motivated and unfounded complaints that wasted police time."
Outstanding case decision due before electionpublished at 11:15 British Summer Time 10 May 2017
Danny Shaw
BBC Home Affairs Correspondent
Some more detail on the one seat still being considered:
It's understood the file of evidence yet to be decided on by the Crown Prosecution Service relates to the South Thanet constituency.
A decision on whether to bring charges is likely to be made before the General Election, possibly next week, our correspondent says.
MP hails 'common sense' expenses callpublished at 11:13 British Summer Time 10 May 2017
In a statement, Conservative candidate for Cheltenham Alex Chalk said of the CPS decision:
Quote Message
I always expected this to come to nothing, because I acted with complete honesty and integrity throughout. I'm pleased that common sense has finally prevailed."
South Thanet decision 'next week'?published at 11:13 British Summer Time 10 May 2017
BBC home affairs correspondent tweets...
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Decision will be 'a huge relief' for the Conservativespublished at 11:10 British Summer Time 10 May 2017
BBC News Channel
The BBC's Norman Smith says the CPS decision "has to be a huge relief" for the Conservatives.
If charges had been brought, "that could have plunged local campaigns in key marginal seats... into complete chaos".
Candidates would have had to stand down and new candidates "parachuted in", Norman says.
The Conservatives can now "regroup and get on with their election campaign".
Conservative response to CPS decision not to bring chargespublished at 11:09 British Summer Time 10 May 2017
Conservative Party Chairman Patrick McLoughlin said:
Quote Message
We are pleased that the legal authorities have confirmed what we believed was the case all along: that these Conservative candidates did nothing wrong. These were politically motivated and unfounded complaints that have wasted police time. We are glad that this matter is finally resolved. A number of false and malicious claims continue to be spread on the internet. People should be aware that making false claims about a candidate’s personal character and conduct is an electoral offence, as well as being defamatory. Notwithstanding these false claims, Conservatives want to strengthen election rules to safeguard electoral integrity – in light of the real and proven cases of electoral fraud exposed in Tower Hamlets in 2015.”
Brexit's hard Irish border questionspublished at 11:06 British Summer Time 10 May 2017
The future of the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland has emerged as a major economic issue.
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Election expenses - CPS statement in fullpublished at 11:04 British Summer Time 10 May 2017
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One complaint still being consideredpublished at 11:02 British Summer Time 10 May 2017
More from the CPS statement
Quote Message
One file, from Kent Police, was only recently received by the CPS, and remains under consideration. No inference as to whether any criminal charge may or may not be authorised in relation to this file should be drawn from this fact and we will announce our decision as soon as possible once we have considered the evidence in this matter.”