David Cameron has been confronted in Parliament over a criminal investigation into alleged electoral fraud by Conservative MPs at last year’s general election.
Angus Robertson, the SNP leader at Westminster, said the allegations were “very serious” and asked the Prime Minister to explain why they had come about.
“Seeing as the Prime Minister is prepared to lecture other countries on corruption and probity, could he explain why seven police forces in the UK have launched criminal investigations into Conservative MPs over potential electoral fraud,” he asked at Prime Minister’s Questions.
“It’s very serious: How is it that a Conservative Crime and Policing Commissioner can serve in such a role while being under police investigation?”
Mr Cameron gave as short answer to the question, and said he believed the fact that Conservative MPs were under investigation at all showed that Britain was not corrupt.
“The whole point in this country is the Electoral Commission is independent and when it comes to operational decisions by a police force, they are independent too. That’s the hallmark of an uncorrupt country!” he said.
The party faces claims, first suggested by Channel 4 News, that it failed to record election expenses relating to a “battle bus” and that this may have meant it breached spending rules in key marginal seats.
Up to 29 Conservative candidates are thought to have benefited from the scheme; the Conservatives only won a narrow majority of 12 MPs at the general election.
A number of police forces have said they will launch investigations into the allegations, including Gloucestershire Police, Devon and Cornwall Police, Cheshire Police and West Yorkshire police.
Derbyshire Police, Greater Manchester Police, Northamptonshire Police and Staffordshire Police are also actively investigating allegations, the BBC has reported. Other forces are understood to be considering launching investigations.
