Health Secretary forced to return donation
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Cabinet minister Alan Johnson has been forced to give back a £1,675 donation after it emerged it came from someone not registered to vote.
He must also pay the same sum into public funds after failing to check in time whether the money was permissible and tell the authorities.
But the Electoral Commission said it will not take legal action against the politician after accepting it was an inadvertent "oversight".
Mr Johnson received £1,675 in August last year from a Mizra Begg, who was not on the electoral register and therefore not allowed to donate.
But the money was not returned to him until December - well outside the 30-day limit - and neither was it reported to the Commission on time.
Because of the late declaration, Mr Johnson must hand over the sum to the authorities even though the donation has been returned.
The money will go into public funds.
The Health Secretary raised thousands of pounds last year to fund an unsuccessful bid to become Labour deputy leader.
The watchdog said it "accepted that this was an oversight and that there was no intention to break the rules.
"Mr Johnson has agreed to forfeit the sum of £1,675 and therefore legal action by the Commission is not necessary." it "accepted that this was an oversight and that there was no intention to break the rules".
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments