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Election 2015: UKIP candidate 'to be questioned' over sausage rolls | Election 2015: UKIP candidate 'to be questioned' over sausage rolls |
(about 1 month later) | |
A UKIP parliamentary candidate is to be questioned over allegations he tried to influence voters by giving away sausage rolls at a party event featuring snooker star Jimmy White. | A UKIP parliamentary candidate is to be questioned over allegations he tried to influence voters by giving away sausage rolls at a party event featuring snooker star Jimmy White. |
Kim Rose, standing in Southampton Itchen, said he had been told to report to police over allegations of treating. | Kim Rose, standing in Southampton Itchen, said he had been told to report to police over allegations of treating. |
Electoral Commission rules state food and entertainment cannot be provided by candidates to "corruptly influence" votes. | Electoral Commission rules state food and entertainment cannot be provided by candidates to "corruptly influence" votes. |
Hampshire police declined to comment. | Hampshire police declined to comment. |
Mr Rose said he held the event on 21 February at a community centre in Weston. | Mr Rose said he held the event on 21 February at a community centre in Weston. |
'Absolutely ridiculous' | |
He invited veteran snooker star Jimmy White, who he described as a long-time friend, to play pool with local youngsters. Adult entrants were charged £2 for the event. | He invited veteran snooker star Jimmy White, who he described as a long-time friend, to play pool with local youngsters. Adult entrants were charged £2 for the event. |
Mr Rose said: "It was fantastic day. We laid on teas, coffees, sandwiches and some sausage rolls. Now I've been reported for allegations of treating. | Mr Rose said: "It was fantastic day. We laid on teas, coffees, sandwiches and some sausage rolls. Now I've been reported for allegations of treating. |
"Maybe it's a bit naive but all the intentions were good. | "Maybe it's a bit naive but all the intentions were good. |
"It's absolutely ridiculous. I'm sure people aren't going to change their mind [over voting] for a sausage roll," he said. | "It's absolutely ridiculous. I'm sure people aren't going to change their mind [over voting] for a sausage roll," he said. |
Mr Rose said he had been contacted by Hampshire Constabulary's Economic Crime Unit and asked to report to Romsey police station on Monday. | Mr Rose said he had been contacted by Hampshire Constabulary's Economic Crime Unit and asked to report to Romsey police station on Monday. |
A force spokeswoman said: "In line with our policy, we would not comment on an issue relating to a non-arrested person." | A force spokeswoman said: "In line with our policy, we would not comment on an issue relating to a non-arrested person." |
The Electoral Commission said it was a police matter. | The Electoral Commission said it was a police matter. |
Its summary of electoral offences states: "A person is guilty of treating if... they directly or indirectly give or provide any food, drink, entertainment or provision to corruptly influence any voter to vote or refrain from voting. | Its summary of electoral offences states: "A person is guilty of treating if... they directly or indirectly give or provide any food, drink, entertainment or provision to corruptly influence any voter to vote or refrain from voting. |
"Treating requires a corrupt intent - it does not apply to ordinary hospitality." | "Treating requires a corrupt intent - it does not apply to ordinary hospitality." |
The candidates for the constituency are: | The candidates for the constituency are: |
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