The Celtic League has attacked the decision of the Electoral Commission following its conclusions in the Wendy Alexander case.
League General Secretary, Rhisiart Tal-e-bot, says it is in "the public interest for electoral law to be upheld" and that has not happened in this case. He adds that taken with other fiascos involving the Commission the episode has "marred its reputation" (see below):
"Peter Wardle Chief Executive Electoral Commission
11/02/08
Dear Peter Wardle
Electoral Commission Conclusions regarding Wendy Alexander
The Celtic League was thoroughly disappointed by the decision of the Electoral Commission not to apply to the courts for a forfeiture order against Wendy Alexander MSP last week.
Even though Ms Alexander expressed regret that her campaign team had accepted the donation, the fact of the matter remains that the law has been broken. As you know there is a standard procedure in place for vetting donors to political parties and Alexander's campaign team should have been more than aware that to accept donations from overseas is illegal.
The Electoral Commission rightly concludes that "reasonable steps" were not followed in this instance and consequently Ms Alexander should have been penalised. We believe that it is more in the public interest for electoral law to be upheld, rather than for it to be dismissed as and when it proves politically convenient.
The Electoral Commission has not only marred its reputation in Scotland as a consequence of the Scottish election fiasco last year, but seems intent to continue to do so with this ridiculous decision. It is obvious that Scotland can do without an Electoral Commission that is neither competent nor independent and the sooner this body makes decisions, equally and fairly, with the interest of Scottish, and not British, politics in mind the better.
Yours sincerely
Rhisiart Tal-e-bot
cc. The Electoral Commission, Scotland"
The full Electoral Commission statement on the Alexander affair can be found here:
(voir le site) /694
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
11/02/08
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