Better Together fined by election watchdog over referendum spending report

Better Together, the official pro-union campaign in the run-up to the independence referendum, has been fined for failing to provide a complete record of its spending.

The Electoral Commission fined Better Together £2,000 for failing to include invoices or receipts to support around £57,000 - five per cent - of its expenditure in its campaign expenditure report .

The law requires receipts or invoices for all items of expenditure of over £200.

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A statement issued by the Electoral Commission said: “Better Together was a designated lead campaigner in the Scottish independence referendum, with more significant resources and a higher profile than other campaigners.

“Taking this into account, the Commission decided a financial sanction was appropriate in this case.

“The Commission found no evidence to suggest that the omissions were deliberate, and took into account that the responsible person for the organisation made efforts to provide further supporting documentation after the deadline for the report had passed.”

Better Together, which was headed up by former Chancellor and Labour MP Alistair Darling, paid the fine in full on 12 January, the Electoral Commission confirmed.

Bob Posner, director of party and election finance and legal counsel at the Electoral Commission, said: “The responsibilities of a registered campaigner in a referendum do not end on polling day.

“Transparency around who spends what at referendums, based on complete and accurate financial reports, is an important part of ensuring that the public has confidence in the democratic process.”