Reform facing police probe ( election laws)

[beak]

Police are reviewing a complaint about Reform UK’s offer to pay the energy bills of an entire street for a year as part of a prize draw.

Listen to this article​

Party leader Nigel Farage has said he is “not in the least bit worried” electoral rules may have been broken by holding the competition after footage online showed him and Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick visiting the winners.



In a video posted on X, the pair could be seen handing a bunch of flowers and a large cheque for £1,758 to a couple, said to be Reform UK supporters, in Wigan on Thursday.

Reform UK said the draw had been cleared by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

Asked whether he was worried the party may have broken electoral rules with the stunt, Mr Farage told reporters on Friday: “No, I’m not in the least bit worried.”


Party sources said many members had entered the competition so it was no surprise that a supporter won and that there was video evidence of the randomised draw taking place for legal purposes. It is understood the draw was open to both members and non-members.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: “We have received a report and are currently reviewing the matter.”






This is not the same as launching an investigation and it is unclear what potential offence is being looked at.

An ICO spokesperson said: “All political parties collecting personal information, including information for political campaigning, need to comply with data protection law.

“We’re in regular contact with political parties about how they use people’s data. We have spoken with Reform about this competition and improving transparency in how they handle people’s personal information.


“People who are concerned about how their information is being used by any political party can raise those concerns with the party, and if they remain dissatisfied can make a complaint to the ICO.”

'Incentivise voter behaviour'​

The Electoral Commission said some activity designed to “incentivise voter behaviour” may be considered an offence, including “bribery and treating”.

“It would be for the police to consider the facts of any allegations made to them, in order to determine if an offence has been committed,” the watchdog said.

“Treating occurs if food, drink, entertainment or other provisions are directly or indirectly given to voters to corruptly influence how they vote.

“Bribery occurs when money is given, directly or indirectly, to induce a voter to vote or not vote. Any allegations should be reported directly to the police.”

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[eritheagle]

It said to 'listen' to the article. So i did and i didn't hear anything!!

 

[beak]

It said to 'listen' to the article. So i did and i didn't hear anything!!

That article came from LBC.

 

[beak]

Updated 41 minutes ago
A row over tax paid by Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice's property company was "a minor administrative error", his party has claimed.

The company, which Tice founded and owned, failed to pay £91,000 in tax before dividends were paid to him and his offshore trust, according to the Sunday Times, external.

Tice has called the failure a "technicality" and said "overall HMRC received the correct amount of tax due".

Labour has called the row "a major scandal which goes to the heart of Richard Tice's integrity and credibility".
A HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) spokesperson said: "We neither confirm nor deny investigations and we cannot comment on identifiable individuals."

Tice's company, Quidnet REIT Limited, invests in property.

The Sunday Times reported that it "did not pay a required 20 per cent levy on [its] dividends … before channelling profits to Tice and his trust registered in Jersey".

Zia Yusuf, Reform UK's home affairs spokesperson conceded that this was "a minor administrative error" but told Sky News, external it was a "non story".

"Any tax that would have not been paid or underpaid by the company paying the dividend… would then have been overpaid by Richard himself in the form of income tax", Yusuf said.

"So it does look like HMRC netted off in the same way."

In a post on X, external, Tice said the Sunday Times's reporting had revealed that "overall HMRC received the correct amount of tax due".

He said the paper was "effectively complaining I paid too much tax rather than [my] company pay some tax on my behalf".

A Labour spokesperson said: "This is a major scandal which goes to the heart of Richard Tice's integrity and credibility. Reform cannot ignore it.

"Richard Tice urgently needs to explain whether his business followed the law and paid the full tax it owed."

Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey called for Tice to be sacked after the reports.

Sir Ed tweeted: "Morally completely indefensible. Farage should sack Richard Tice immediately."

Last month, Labour asked HMRC to investigate the tax affairs of Tice.

Labour's chair Anna Turley wrote to the tax authority after the Sunday Times reported , externalTice had "avoided nearly £600,000 in corporation tax" through his property company.

At a press conference in Westminster, Tice said Quidnet Reit Ltd was "a UK company paying UK tax in accordance with UK laws", adding there was no "obligation" to pay the maximum tax required and suggested few people would likely take such a decision.

Speaking at the press conference, Tice asked journalists: "How many friends of yours would voluntarily choose to pay more tax than they are legally obliged to do?

"The idea that morally, we have got to pay the maximum tax we possibly can - therein lies the road to ruin for the UK as an economy."

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[ASCPFC]

No way is that politically motivated or timed to coincide with elections. Not dirty tricks whatsoever. If anyone gave a sh1t I'd almost credit Labour - who probably spent hundreds of thousands working this out. I presume you realise their spin doctors, marketing and consultants had to work this out. Probably the one that resigned over not declaring election donations.
I saw a solicitor today say no crime or even tax evasion or even tax avoidance has taken place. And seeing that Reform have not asked for votes, they can run a competition if they like. Reform have described it as a non story for balance. But please enjoy it while you can. Wales will only be red in the rugby and in its bank balance - as that's the price of Labour as we all know.