The police and politics don’t mix

Sam Coates makes a telling point over at his blog:

“The Crown Prosecution Service, who decided it could not bring charges, has torn up electoral law in the process. They have decided Peter Hain was not legally responsible for over £100,000 of late donations because he wasn’t the signatory on the campaign accounts. This has come as a surprise to the Electoral Commission, who thought that as candidate he was the “regulated donee” and therefore should take the rap. So the much hated 2000 donations laws are now officially a complete mess, with the watchdog and police working by completely different rules. That wont sort itself out in a hurry.

But once again we had interviews under caution, and police sources saying “that the file provided a compelling case”. Then nothing. Electoral law is clearly an overcomplicated ass, rather like the obscure offence of Damian Green is charged with. Perhaps the police should think twice before charging into political affairs in future?”