The Electoral Commission has tried, in a somewhat unconvincing manner, to defend the actions it took in the Wendy Alexander 'impermissible donation' scandal.
They were responding to a letter from the Celtic League General Secretary who had slammed their actions. Rhisiart Tal-e-bot told the Electoral Commission (see attached Celtic News article No 2489) that the Celtic League believes that, "it is more in the public interest for electoral law to be upheld, rather than for it to be dismissed as and when it proves politically convenient"
"The Electoral Commission
7th March 2008
Dear Rhisiart Tal-e-bot
Electoral Commission conclusions regarding Wendy Alexander
Thank you for your letter of 11 February 2008 to the Commission's Chief Executive regarding the Electoral Commission inquiry into Wendy Alexander.
Please find attached a copy of the statement we released following consideration of this case. The Commission did not apply for forfeiture of the impermissible donation from Wendy Alexander as she had voluntarily forfeited the sum, and there was therefore no need to pursue it in the courts.
The Electoral Commission is not responsible for running elections in Scotland. Following the publication in October 2007 of the independent review into the Scottish elections, the Commission has published a report examining the status of electoral administration in the UK reiterating its calls for more consistent resource and support for electoral administration, a commitment from Governments and legislators to consolidate and simplify electoral law and the introduction of individual voter registration in Great Britain.
Yours sincerely
Andy O'Neill Head of Office Scotland"
See related article on Celtic News at:
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
25/03/08