Grassroots campaign group Momentum has been fined £16,700 for "multiple breaches" of electoral law during the 2017 general election.

The fines handed down by the Electoral Commission include £12,150 - the largest fine levied on a non-party campaigner - for an inaccurate election spending return.

Momentum, which grew out of Jeremy Corbyn's successful Labour leadership campaign in 2015, has also been punished for failures to report donations.

Louise Edwards, the Electoral Commission's director of regulation, said it was "particularly disappointing" the group had broken the law, given "political campaigning is its full-time work".

She said: "Non-party campaigners are essential for a healthy democracy.


Image: Momentum grew from Jeremy Corbyn's successful Labour leadership campaign in 2015

"But just as crucial is that after a poll, voters can see complete and accurate spending data.

"The fines that we have levied reflect Momentum's repeated revisions to their spending return, poor record keeping and failure to follow advice given by the commission prior to the election."

Laura Parker, of Momentum, acknowledged that the commission did uncover "some mistakes in our reporting and some clerical errors", but added: "This isn't surprising for a new organisation which at the time was less than two years old and had 25,000 members and 150 local groups.

"The Conservatives likely employ more lawyers than Momentum have staff, and even getting close to fully complying with these complex regulations for a volunteer led, social movement organisation is a herculean task."

She said the fines levied were "disproportionate", adding: "The fines and associated staff time will cost Momentum more than our entire regulated campaign spend during the election.

"Not only did Momentum co-operate fully with the Electoral Commission, but these offences are incredibly minor when compared with other political organisations."

Ms Parker added the group had put in place "comprehensive systems" to ensure "we won't make these mistakes again".