Essex force says report falls outside timeframe for prosecution while watchdog says it is looking into claims
Nigel Farage has avoided a police investigation into claims his general election campaign breached electoral law last year because too much time has passed since the alleged offences.
The Reform UK leader may still face sanction by the Electoral Commission over claims his campaign exceeded spending limits after the watchdog said it was carrying out its own assessment of the claims.
“We have assessed a report relating to an allegation around misreported expenditure by a political candidate in connection with the general election in July 2024,” Essex police said.
It said the report was made on 5 December. “Having regard to the Representation of the People Act 1983, which states any prosecution for such an offence must commence within one year, it has been concluded that this report falls outside of the stated statutory time limit, and no investigation can take place.”
