CPS clears Conservatives after election expenses probe

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has decided not to charge Conservative candidates or party officials after mulling evidence from 14 police forces over electoral spending in 2015.

It said it had considered files from the police forces, commenting that evidence of inaccurate spending returns did not "meet the test" for further action.

CPS was still probing the Conservative election campaign in South Thanet.

It was alleged that the Conservatives had spent tens of thousands of pounds on local campaigns, which were either not declared or were incorrectly booked as national spending.

Political parties are required to disclose national spending separately from money used to promote each candidate. There are separate national and local limits.

The Conservatives claimed the allegations were politically motivated and wasted police time.

Back in March, the Conservatives were fined £70,000 by the Electoral Commission.

The commission criticised the political party for allegedly resisting its probe, but was unable to prove intention to make false declarations.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has been reported as commenting that he was surprised by the CPS' decision to not prosecute over the election expenses matter.

"Quite clearly the Electoral Commission is independent, the Crown Prosecution Service is independent, the director of public prosecutions is independent. They have to make a judgment on it," said Corbyn in a statement.

Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron said the investigation had left a "cloud hanging over British politics".