§ Andrew BennettTo ask the Solicitor-General what discussions she has had with the CPS on prosecution policy in respect of forging signatures on applications to vote by post at the last general election. [915]
§ The Solicitor-GeneralI have spoken to the Chief Executive of the CPS to discuss current prosecution policy.
The police are responsible for investigating any complaints of forged postal applications to vote. As this is a specialised area of law, CPS headquarters handle all cases involving breaches of election law referred to the CPS by the police. All cases are reviewed in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors, to assess the sufficiency of evidence and where appropriate the public interest in bringing a prosecution.
CPS experience shows that allegations of this kind are received from a number of sources over a period of months. It is still too early to say whether the increase in postal voting has led to an increase in criminal complaints. In addition, the CPS liaises with the Electoral Commission as the Commission is required to publish a report on the conduct and administration of the recent general election.