Craig Mackinlay, the former Tory MP and the party’s candidate in South Thanet, has been charged with election offences. The decision by the CPS – which comes less than a week ahead of the snap election – was made following an investigation by police into Conservative Party expenses during the 2015 General Election. In that election campaign, Mackinlay defeated then-Ukip leader Nigel Farage by less than 3,000 votes in South Thanet.
The CPS announced its decision moments again, saying that MacKinlay – along with two others – will face trial charged with offences under the Representation of the People Act 1983. Here’s their full statement:
“On 18 April we received a file of evidence from Kent Police concerning allegations relating to Conservative Party expenditure during the 2015 General Election campaign. We then asked for additional enquiries to be made in advance of the 11 June statutory time limit by when any charges needed to be authorised.
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