Several MPs have claimed that the snap general election Theresa May has called for is a distraction from the Conservatives’ expenses scandal.[1]
Channel 4 News has reported that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is considering criminal charges against a raft of conservative MPs and their agents over their expenses in the last general election. This has followed a year-long investigation by Channel 4 News,[2] who have launched a website specific to this investigation,[3] http://electionexpenses.co.uk/.
15 police forces across the country have passed on files to the CPS concerning the election scandal, with the CPS considering charges against more than 30 individuals.
Theresa May’s working majority in the House of Commons is only 17, and as a result many—including MPs—have suggested her calling the snap general election is connected to distraction or protection from criminal convictions and the scandal in general.
Could this be another reason for Mrs May breaking her promise not to hold an early election? https://t.co/Zaib9iQZ3d
— Ben Bradshaw (@BenPBradshaw) April 18, 2017
Explains why the PM changed her mind to call an early, unnecessary general election. https://t.co/asZ8x4vCPL
— Mary Creagh (@MaryCreagh_) April 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/DavidLammy/status/854415753952587777
Very interesting. Could this explain @theresa_may u-turn on general election & her reluctance to engage in public debate? #electionexpenses https://t.co/woVSpHMT1j
— Joanna Cherry KC (@joannaccherry) April 18, 2017
The CPS has announced that it will indeed be announcing prosecutions before the snap general election, in which case Tory MPs face being prosecuted whilst they are fighting the election campaign.[4]
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Source: www.islam21c.com
Notes:
[1] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/theresa-may-general-election-expenses-scandal-distract-schedule-mps-tory-party-paul-nuttall-david-a7690106.html
[2] https://www.channel4.com/news/exclusive-cps-considering-charges-against-over-30-people-including-tory-mps-over-expenses
[3] http://electionexpenses.co.uk/
[4] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tory-election-fraud-prosecutions-cps-election-campaign-result-overturn-battle-bus-a7689801.html
“The CPS is currently reviewing the evidence and considering whether to charge the MPs with breaking the election spending limits, which are put in place to prevent those with wealthy backers from gaining an UNFAIR ADVANTAGE during general elections.” [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tory-election-fraud-prosecutions-cps-election-campaign-result-overturn-battle-bus-a7689801.html]
What does the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) say about this?