Tory party wants Electoral Commission abolished or reformed

Jacob Rees-Mogg recently claimed watchdog ‘in serious need of reform’

The Electoral Commission has risked a major row with the Conservatives after the watchdog announced a formal probe into the financing of renovations at Boris Johnson’s Downing Street flat.

The Tory party has made clear it wants the Electoral Commission to be abolished or radically reformed – having previously accused the body of trying to “expand its empire” and create “unnecessary investigations”.

Last August, the Conservatives lodged a submission on the future of the watchdog with the Committee on Standards in Public Life (CSPL), which is still reviewing the Electoral Commission’s role as the regulator of party finances.

The Tory party claimed that the electoral watchdog had become “unaccountable”, arguing that the body could either be disbanded or have its powers severely curtailed.

Tory MP and House of Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg said last month that the Electoral Commission’s operations were “in serious need of reform … particularly regarding its accountability to the House and how it may bring prosecutions”.

Tory chairwoman Amanda Milling claimed the watchdog should not be allowed to give itself the power to prosecute parties, after the Electoral Commission said it wanted to share a “prosecutions capability” with the police and Crown Prosecution Service.

“The [Electoral] Commission should be focusing on improving its core functions, not trying to expand its empire,” Ms Milling wrote inThe Telegraph at the time of the submission. “If the Electoral Commission fails to make these changes … then the only option would be to abolish it.”

At the moment, the Electoral Commission can only issue fines of up to £20,000 and recommend the police investigate serious offences. But in its own submission to the CSPL, the watchdog said it would like to “build the capacity to prosecute lower order suspected offences”.

Conservative Party Chairwoman Amanda Milling (PA)

A spokesperson for Electoral Commission told The Independent that the watchdog “looked forward” to the outcome of the CSPL review on its role.

“The Electoral Commission plays a vital role in ensuring the integrity and transparency of the UK’s electoral and political finance systems,” the spokesperson said.

On Wednesday the watchdog stepped up its inquiries into how Mr Johnson was able to pay for flat renovations by announcing a formal investigation.

“We are now satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to suspect that an offence or offences may have occurred,” said an Electoral Commission spokesperson.

Tory HQ reportedly approved paying the £58,000 bill for the work as long as nine months ago – a payment then covered by a wealthy donor, according to a leaked email.

The prime minister insisted he has not broken any laws over the costly refurbishment. Challenged by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer at PMQs, Mr Johnson said: “He should know that I have paid for Downing Street refurbishment personally.”

He said that upon “any further declaration that I have to make, if any,” he will be advised by his newly-appointed independent adviser on ministers’ interests, Lord Geidt.

A Conservative Party spokesman said: “We believe all reportable donations have been transparently and correctly declared and published by the Electoral Commission.

“We will continue to work constructively with the Electoral Commission on this matter. While an investigation is ongoing we will not be commenting further.”

It is unclear when the Committee on Standards in Public Life will publish its conclusions on the role of the Electoral Commission. The Independent has contacted the advisory body for comment.