Alexander donation statement in full

The Electoral Commission, which investigated Scottish Labour leader Wendy Alexander's acceptance of a �950 donation from Jersey-based businessman Paul Green, has decided it will not report the politician to prosecutors.

Here is the commission's statement in full:

The Electoral Commission has concluded its investigation into the acceptance by Wendy Alexander MSP of a donation of �950 from Paul Green, an individual not registered to vote in the UK, and the recording of that donation as having been received from a UK-registered company.

The Electoral Commission has decided not to make a report to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 gives the Electoral Commission power to apply to a court to seek forfeiture of an amount equivalent to any impermissible donation that has been accepted.

Wendy Alexander has acknowledged that the donation in question was impermissible, and has voluntarily forfeited this sum. There is therefore no need for the commission to apply to the courts for a forfeiture order.

The Electoral Commission has also considered the possibility that criminal offences may have been committed in this case. Specifically:

Under section 56 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, the offence of accepting and retaining a donation from anyone who is not registered on an electoral register in the UK at the time of the donation. It is also relevant to consider whether all reasonable steps were taken to avoid this; and

Under section 61 of the act, any offences of knowingly facilitating, concealing or disguising an impermissible donation and/or knowingly giving false information or withholding information in relation to an impermissible donation. Consideration of these offences also extends in this matter to Wendy Alexander's campaign team.

The commission has interviewed Wendy Alexander and members of her campaign team and staff, and has obtained and analysed documents.

The commission has also consulted with the procurator fiscal about the scope of its investigation in order to ensure its decision was taken on the basis of all relevant evidence.

In respect of a possible offence under section 56, the commission has concluded that, while Wendy Alexander did not take all reasonable steps in seeking to comply with the relevant legislation, she did take significant steps. Having considered all the circumstances, the commission has decided that it is not appropriate or in the public interest to report this matter to the procurator fiscal.

In respect of possible offences under section 61, the commission has concluded that there is not sufficient evidence to establish that an offence has been committed. The commission has therefore decided that it is not appropriate to report this matter to the procurator fiscal

The conclusions reached by the commission are the result of its independent judgment, following a thorough investigation. Extraneous considerations such as political or public opinion have played no part in this process, nor have they played any part in the commission's decision-making.

Those standing for party office or, as a members of a campaign team, soliciting or handling donations, have a responsibility to ensure that they understand the requirements of the 2000 act and the commission's published guidance. The commission will continue to monitor compliance with these rules.