We have previously reported on Conservative MP David Mundell’s admission that he exceeded the election expense limit in this year’s election. His expense return showed him within the limit but wrongly classified one bill. A correct return would have shown him over the limit.
The police have decided to investigate the matter and news has just emerged that he was questioned by them several days ago.
Mundell can apply for legal relief for making the mistake, though the police’s interest suggest this is not as simple a case as most relief cases are where a simple mistake is involved but one that does not take a candidate over the legal limit.
Hat-tip: Andrew Reeves
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3 Comments
I have worked with David Mundell a little, and have found him a really pleasant and decent man. Especially for a Tory (are we still allowed to make jokes under the coalition?)
However, he was only defending a majority of 1,738. I know his vote, his vote share and his majority increased during the election, but he wasn’t necessarily to have known this.
I wonder what the Labour candidate thinks?
I am just so conflicted. So much easier when it’s the Woolases of the world who are shown to be dodgy. Or the Goldsmiths.
If it was just one bill then it would have had to have been a fairly massive one for it to have made a difference to the outcome of the election. My experience is that the police waste a lot of time on a case like this and then drop it because there is not enough evidence and there is no public interest to be gained by pursuing it.
I agree with both Helen and Tonyhill’s comments here. If I as an individual wasted police time I would be charged with an offense, but if they do it themselves then it is police following up on legitimate inquires. Mr Mundell needs nothing more than a slap on the wrist.