CPS 'to announce whether any Tories will be prosecuted for breaching election spending rules'
More than 30 people are accused in the fraud probe
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Your support makes all the difference.The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is expected to announce on Wednesday whether a number of Tory MPs will be criminally charged over the alleged 2015 election expenses scandal.
More than 30 people were accused of labelling expenses as national rather than local spending two years ago.
That number includes as many as 20 Conservative MPs and several election agents.
The CPS is understood to be preparing to reveal the conclusion of its probe just a day before Thursday's deadline for parliamentary candidates to register or withdraw from the 8 June vote. The timing of the decision could present a major headache for the party's high command, with the possibility that new candidates may have to be selected in some areas.
The allegation centres on claims that the Conservative Party failed to properly account for the cost of bussing supporters into marginal constituencies in the weeks before the 2015 general election, including the cost of putting them up in hotels while they campaigned.
The party is accused of registering the cost of the campaigning as national rather than local spending.
This allowed the party to exceed election spending limits in some areas, it is claimed.
The CPS will decide if there is enough evidence to prosecute, and whether it is in the public interest to press charges.
If the CPS decides to prosecute, Theresa May could be forced to choose new candidates within 24 hours of hearing the verdict.
Many of the former Tory MPs awaiting a decision are seeking re-election. They have denied wrongdoing.
As many as 15 police forces sent files to the CPS last year relating to the battle bus scheme.
Ms May denied on the Andrew Marr show that she had called a snap election to avoid the Tory fraud claims.
“That is not the reason why this election has been called,” she said.