3rd June 2017
During the Question Time Leaders’ Debate, broadcast live on BBC One last night from the City of York, we are alleging that Prime Minister Theresa May committed a criminal offence in the form of a false statement, with regard to the conduct of an opponent, provided in response to the above question, which she knew to be false and which breached the terms of the Representation of the People Act 1983.
The offending statement occurred 17 minutes and 11 seconds into the broadcast. Here is the relevant excerpt, starting a few seconds into the clip:
As the statement did not provide an answer to the gentleman’s question, and appeared to be opportunistically “crowbarred in”, we believe this incident to be premeditated and by the very nature of its content, designed to adversely impact upon the electoral prospects of the Labour Party and by extension all its candidates for the forthcoming general election.
This is extremely serious given that it was a live broadcast watched by millions of people, many of whom will not yet have made up their minds on where to cast their vote on 8th June 2017. When judged against the information provided below i.e. excerpt of Section 106, Sub-section 1 of the Representation of the People’s Act 1983, we believe the statement to represent a clear breach.
The terms of the Representation of the People Act are very clear and advice has been issued and made available to all contesting parties by the Electoral Commission, the regulatory body of ballots and elections within the UK.
We have reported this incident to the Metropolitan Police today (see below) because we believe nobody is above the law of the land and the Prime Minister needs to be held accountable for her actions.
Relevant Excerpt from The Representation of the People’s Act 1983
We follow politics closely, have done for some years, and do not believe Diane Abbott has ever made any statements indicating that she wants to wipe the records of criminals and terrorists from the DNA Database.
Further reading:
Get The Innocent off the DNA Database by Diane Abbott
Hansard Online – Diane Abbott Contributions
Metropolitan Police reference number: BCA-1932-17-00
Further developments, including Met Police response:
Update
Some relevant and up-to-date reading on this subject, kindly forwarded this evening by James Turner QC – @JamesTurner37 – on Twitter:
Pingback: May reported to police for Abbott comment electoral breach #GE17 #BBCQT | The SKWAWKBOX
Thank you for challenging this outrageous and inaccurate comment.
Would the same censure apply to Tory videos that peddle unambiguous lies, for instance the editing of a video of Jeremy Corbyn to make it seem as though he states he supports terrorism?
I’m not a lawyer, but deliberate misrepresentation Corbyn in those videos certainly seems to fall under the purview of the phrase “makes or publishes any false statement or fact.”
Thanks David. Can you be more specific please? Which part?
As the commenter I replied to stated “…the editing of a video of Jeremy Corbyn to make it seem as though he states he supports terrorism” .
Reblogged this on nearlydead.
Reblogged this on Britain Isn't Eating.
Reblogged this on SUBSTRATUMS.
Sounds like she had that comment ready to use just in case anyone mentioned Diane Abbot – not in context ? Oh who cares as long as she gets to slag her off, even if it’s not (a) answering the guy’s question or (b) correct. I loathe that woman more every time she opens her gub 😫
I reckon the latest Tory ad which edited to misrepresent Corbyn’s views on the IRA is also in breach. How did you go about making the complaint. Did you go to your local police?
I went to the Metropolitan Police, filling in their online crime reporting form, only to realise later that the alleged crime occurred in York – which is were the venue was located.
On the advice of The Met, I have since lodged the same crime report with North Yorkshire police.
[Update – 8th June 2017]
North Yorkshire Police have acknowledged receipt, however, the Metropolitan Police’s Special Enquiry Unit have now assumed primacy over this. Further details here
Pingback: Theresa May’s Alleged Crime (Breach of Section 106 of Representation of the People’s Act) reported to Electoral Commission | Wirral In It Together
Pingback: We alleged the UK Prime Minister committed an electoral crime and the Regulator passed us to OFCOM | Wirral In It Together
Pingback: Our Allegation Against the Prime Minister – the Crown Prosecution Service Refused to Refer it to the Police | Wirral In It Together
Good afternoon. I was the audience member in question. Thank you for bringing this to light and challenging her statement – have you had any further developments?
Kieran, firstly many thanks for asking the question. The Met have my message and they’re looking into it to see whether in their opinion a crime has been committed. I’m waiting for a yes or no from them. But keep watching the blog and news will appear, hopefully soon. Thanks for the follow, Paul.
Will do my friend, thanks for the follow to you too.
Pingback: Our Criminal Allegation Against Theresa May Falls at the First Hurdle | Wirral In It Together