Sunday 8 March 2015

Prosecutors consider Wings over Scotland's referendum spending


Tom Gordon

ONE of the loudest and most controversial Yes supporters in the referendum could be charged with a criminal offence over missing financial papers, the Electoral Commission has said.

The watchdog said that, alongside prosecutors, it was now considering whether to take enforcement action against the Wings Over Scotland website run from Bath by Scots-born Stuart Campbell.

It emerged last month that Wings Over Scotland and four smaller campaigners had failed to report their spending during the referendum.

Using Freedom of Information law, the Sunday Herald asked the Commission for the material it held on Wings Over Scotland and another high-profile campaigner, Labour for Independence (LFI), not filing spending returns.

In both instances, the Commission refused to release its files in case it prejudiced “the prevention or detection of crime” and “the apprehension or prosecution of offenders”.

With respect to Wings over Scotland, it said: “The Commission has commenced its inquiries and is currently considering, in conjunction with the Crown Office, what, if any, action is appropriate in relation to this organisation’s failure to deliver a campaign expenditure return with the required timescale.

“In this case it is necessary to consider the failure to comply in order to reach a decision whether a person or person should be charged with a criminal offence.”

The Commission used the same form of words about LFI, but added that in regard to Wings Over Scotland it might also consider civil breaches.

Both Wings over Scotland and LFI are being probed in relation to Paragraph 21 of Schedule 4 of the Scottish Independence Referendum Act 2013.

This states that official campaigners - those who registered with the Commission as permitted participants as they expected to spend more than £10,000 - must file a return detailing all their payments, loans, receipts and invoices.

The responsible person commits an offence punishable by a fine of up to £5000 if they fail to comply with the law on filing a return.

A person who “knowingly or recklessly makes a false declaration” commits an offence punishable by up to a year in prison.

Stuart Campbell
The responsible person for Wings Over Scotland is Campbell, 47, a former computer games journalist who styles himself as a Reverend but refuses to say for which church or faith. 

For LFI it is Deborah Waters, 42, from Barrhead, the wife of East Renfrewshire SNP councillor Vincent Waters.

Campbell said Wings Over Scotland spent around £75,000 during the referendum on campaigning, including production of the popular Wee Blue Book, but was unable to complete the spending return form as it does not have full invoices and receipts.

Asked about a possible criminal charge, he said: “We've heard nothing from the Electoral Commission since they published details of participants' spending.

“We did everything in our power, both before and after the deadline, to communicate with them and provide evidence to back up the full account of our spending that we submitted, and we continue to do so.

“All of our expenditure is fully verifiable, and we remain willing to verify it to the Commission by any means possible within the laws of science."


Waters could not be contacted.

12 comments:

  1. This article stinks to high heaven,

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  2. Is this the thin edge of a "witch hunt"? Will this be a protracted "smear story" leading into the May 7 election ? Evil Cult of Cybernats exposed! etc.. Read all about it!! What does it matter ,the source of his church or faith,or his use of "reverend"? Are you Tom Gordon or " Pat Roller"? Should your beat be "wee stories from the police courts" ?

    "waters could not be contacted" Maybe she was having a bath? Walking the dog? etc.etc.. Or maybe she just couldn't be bothered being harassed by your righteous "press". The Electoral Commission refused to release the files? Therefore your seeming impatience and need for a "quick fill" hatchet job is justified?

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  3. It might look vindictive. But given his profile (which he and his supporters continue to push) Campbell can scarcely complain if he is looked at. When you step into the spotlight you are more readily observed.

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  4. It might look vindictive. But given his profile (which he and his supporters continue to push) Campbell can scarcely complain if he is looked at. When you step into the spotlight you are more readily observed.

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  5. Ha Bullshit.

    More free advertisement for Wings. Welcome to the light.

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  6. If he's broken the rules he's broken the rules. It's not some Unionist conspiracy.

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    Replies
    1. He (Campbell) has stated he is fully co-operating with the Electoral Commission.Let them get on with it without the innuendo.

      Spurious finger pointing and journo-jingo by Mr. Gordon.

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  7. May be he should turn his attention to David Cameron's financial affairs.

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  8. May be he should turn his attention to David Cameron's financial affairs.

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  9. Malcolm Rifkind and Jack Straw?
    -the Westminster child murderers?
    The list goes on and on.
    Maybe they could take a look at Purdah violations with the "VOW' etc etc

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  10. Haha you are all so divided its great sitting back as an outsider and watching Scotland tear itself apart. Serves Scotland right for what it has done to Ireland.

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  11. This "false" Reverend ? Living the dream you might say ? Why would someone pretend to be something they are not ? He could choose to prove his crudentials any time he likes though coudn't he ? https://ahdinnaeken.wordpress.com/2015/08/23/exclusive-fake-reverend-exposed-as-self-serving-sham/

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