No charges over 2015 Conservative battle bus cases - Polidicks

[url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-39865801[/url] [QUOTE]No Conservatives will face charges for breaches of expenses rules over the 2015 general election "battle bus". The Crown Prosecution Service said it had examined files from 14 police forces and while there was evidence of inaccurate spending returns it did not "meet the test" for further action. It is still investigating the Conservative campaign in South Thanet. The Conservatives said the allegations had been "politically motivated" and a "waste of police time".[/QUOTE]

Quite the range of responses from the MPs who were exonerated. One of them explicitly paid tribute to the work of the CPS and the fact we are fortunate enough to have matters like this properly investigated: [url]https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2017/may/10/general-election-2017-tory-mps-expenses-one-show-politics-live?page=with:block-5912f004e4b0a8ea08b6cebe#block-5912f004e4b0a8ea08b6cebe[/url] [quote]I welcome this decision by the CPS today. I am pleased the matter is now resolved, and that after a very thorough investigation of over a year, the authorities have confirmed what I knew was the case all along, that I’ve done nothing wrong and acted with integrity and honesty ... When we look across the world, however, we should be glad that we live in a country where democracy and fairness in elections are held in such high regard that full investigation and attention is given to maintaining the fairness of our system. I do not begrudge the attention that the police and CPS have given to this case, and I maintain my respect and support for our police and justice system in the essential and difficult tasks which they conduct every day. I wish to thank my colleagues, local association members, and the vast, vast, majority of my constituents who never lost faith in me, and who have continued to support me throughout this process, which has at times been a source of great stress. It is never a good experience to be accused of something which you know you have not done. As for those handful of political opponents who have been quick to vilify myself and others, particularly those who call themselves ‘progressive’ whilst simultaneously abandoning the principles of natural justices and innocence until proven otherwise which have been enshrined in Britain for the best part of a millennium: I hope they reflect on their words and actions over recent weeks, and I look forward to receiving their apologies, which I will graciously accept.[/quote] Another went full Trump and called for the 'biased' Electoral Commission leadership to resign for having dared to investigate this, and the Electoral Commission to be abolished if they refuse. [media]https://twitter.com/MrHarryCole/status/862246282550706176[/media] Bare in mind that just two months ago it was the Electoral Commission which found that the Conservatives [i]had[/i] broken expenses rules, and [url=http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/journalist/electoral-commission-media-centre/news-releases-donations/conservative-party-fined-70,000-following-investigation-into-election-campaign-expenses]fined them £70,000[/url]. It's a little bit fucking outrageous for this guy to now be calling for their heads. [editline]10th May 2017[/editline] On the flip side, plenty of people on Twitter are accusing the CPS of corruption for not prosecuting, which is ridiculous

[QUOTE=Bob The Knob;52209618] On the flip side, plenty of people on Twitter are accusing the CPS of corruption for not prosecuting, which is ridiculous[/QUOTE] Well there is a reason we call it "Couldn't Prosecute Satan"

What a cover up. Oh well... can't say I'm surprised. Just because there were no prosecutions because it "wasn't in the public interest" does not mean no wrongdoing took place. How convenient that all the "mistakes" occurred in marginal constituencies crucial to the Tories' slim majority... they effectively [I]bought[/I] the election.

Here is an explanation of why no charges were brought, for those who want to know. TLDR the law is messy, should probs be reformed. Nothing the CPS can do about that though [url]https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2017/may/10/general-election-2017-tory-mps-expenses-one-show-politics-live?page=with:block-5912f4a9e4b0a8ea08b6cedb#block-5912f4a9e4b0a8ea08b6cedb[/url]