The Funding Scrolls
Alexander in the clear
So Wendy Alexander is in the clear over her constitution-shattering, world-ending contribution of 950 quid:
Election watchdogs have cleared Wendy Alexander of wrongdoing after her Scottish Labour leadership campaign received an illegal donation.
The Electoral Commission has decided not to make a report to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
Labour MSP Charlie Gordon sought the £950 from Jersey-based developer Paul Green, which broke electoral law.
Now, hang on a minute! Didn't Jim Dyer, the so-called "Standards Commissioner at the Scottish Parliament", already report Alexander to the Procurator Fiscal? We know because we said so. So, did he or didn't he? And is this the same as being reported or not being reported by the Electoral Commission? Blimey. And you thought European legislation was convoluted.
So how much of our money was wasted on this, then? Not as much as Metronet or Northern Rock or even Derek Conway. But how much? Just, like, you know, asking.
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1 Comments
Jim Dyer's reference to the Procurator Fiscal was because Wendy Alexander had followed his advice and not declared leadership campaign donations in the Scottish Parliament Register of Interests, before he changed his mind and decided she should register. It wasn't over the accidental acceptance of an impermissible donation from Jersey. The two are different things but Wendy Alexander's defence on the matter which has been referred is far stronger than on the second which has not.