CPS to consider prosecuting PCC for election expense offences

A police and crime commissioner (PCC) has been referred to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) over expense claims during the 2015 General Election. Devon and Cornwall PCC Alison Hernandez was placed under investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) on May 12, 2016 – the first day of her new role. She was accused of failing to properly declare election expenses while she was employed as an agent for the Conservative candidate in the Torbay constituency. An investigation was undertaken by West Mercia Police under the direction of the IPCC to avoid any suggestion of bias. Chief executive for the office of the PCC, Andrew White, said: “I have been informed that Ms Hernandez’s case will be referred to the CPS for its consideration. I want to take the opportunity to clarify a number of issues about this process to avoid any confusion. “Although the case is being referred to the CPS, at this time, no decision has been made about whether charges will be laid against Ms Hernandez. There is no presumption that their consideration will lead to a charge and even if the CPS decide to charge it may be many months before any case comes to court.” The investigation into Ms Hernandez relates to Conservative Party spending during the 2015 General Election. Each party is allowed to spend £15,000 locally but it was alleged that the Conservatives wrongly accounted for thousands of pounds in hotel bills for campaigners bussed in to support its candidates as national spending. The Electoral Commission also found the party had not declared or accurately reported more than £275,000 of campaign spending at three by-elections in 2014. In March, the commission fined the Conservatives a record £70,000 and reported its former treasurer to the police.