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.One of the groups campaigning to leave the European Union has said it will launch a legal challenge against a decision to designate its rival as the official Out campaign.
The Electoral Commission today said that Vote Leave would be the lead campaign – giving it access to public funds and an enhanced profile.
But Leave.EU, which has a fractious relationship with Vote Leave, said it would challenge the decision – potentially delaying the referendum.
“We are going to appeal it, which could delay the referendum until October 23," Andy Wigmore told Huffington Post UK. “We think it’s a political stitch-up.”
Arron Banks, the co-founder of Leave.EU, said the decision did not “make sense”.
“I am thoroughly unsatisfied with the Electoral Commission’s decision for a variety of reasons that I will be making clear in my application for judicial review,” he said.
“The tweet by Steve Bell, the Chairman of the Conservative Party Convention, that Vote Leave had been given the designation the night before the official announcement smells of political corruption from our high-minded establishment and cannot be allowed to pass without challenge.
“There are a number of judgments according to the Electoral Commission’s own criteria that do not make sense and we shall be raising those inconsistencies in our action.
“It is to be regretted that this process may put the referendum back until October, but if we are to avoid the most important vote of our lives being rigged then I feel duty bound to take this course of action.”
The organisation appeared to waver on the review, however, and said in a follow-up statement that it would announce whether the review would actually go ahead tomorrow.
Leave.EU is part of the Grassroots Out coalition, which narrowly missed out on the official designation, according to a breakdown of the contest by the Electoral Commission.
Grassroots Out itself, however, congratulated Vote Leave and said it would work with it to win the referendum.
The EU referendum will be held on 23 June this year, barring any delays.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments