Vote Leave drops appeal against fine for electoral offences

Vote Leave has withdrawn an appeal against fines for breaches of electoral law.

The Electoral Commission, which found the campaign broke the rules in the build-up to the Brexit referendum, released a statement on Friday about the withdrawal.

A spokesman said: “Vote Leave has today withdrawn its appeal and related proceedings against the Electoral Commission’s finding of multiple offences under electoral law, committed during the 2016 EU referendum campaign.

“Vote Leave was the designated lead campaigner for the leave outcome at the referendum.

“We found that it broke the electoral rules set out by Parliament to ensure fairness, confidence and legitimacy at an electoral event.

“Serious offences such as these undermine public confidence in our system and it is vital, therefore, that they are properly investigated and sanctioned.

“We have been advised that Vote Leave has paid its £61,000 fine and look forward to receiving the sum in full.”

Speaking on behalf of the Electoral Commission on Thursday, Labour MP Bridget Phillipson said Vote Leave had “took up its right of appeal” and an appeal had been listed for July 2019.

Additional reporting by Press Association