BETTER Together, the official pro-UK campaign in the 2014 independence referendum has been fined for failing to produce a complete report of its spending.

Election watchdogs imposed a £2000 fine on the cross-party organisation, which was headed by former Chancellor Alistair Darling.

In a statement, the Electoral Commission said Better Together's campaign expenditure report did not include invoices or receipts to support approximately £57,000 - around five per cent - of its expenditure.

The statement added: "The law requires receipts or invoices for all items of expenditure of over £200.

"Better Together was a designated lead campaigner in the Scottish Independence Referendum, with more significant resources and a higher profile than other campaigners.

"Taking this into account, the Commission decided a financial sanction was appropriate in this case.

"The Commission found no evidence to suggest that the omissions were deliberate, and took into account that the responsible person for the organisation made efforts to provide further supporting documentation after the deadline for the report had passed."

Better Together paid the fine in full on January 12.

Bob Posner, Director of Party & Election Finance and Legal Counsel at the Electoral Commission, said: "The responsibilities of a registered campaigner in a referendum do not end on polling day.

"Transparency around who spends what at referendums, based on complete and accurate financial reports, is an important part of ensuring that the public has confidence in the democratic process."

Better Together spent £1,422,602 in the final 16 weeks of the campaign, when strict spending rules applied.

Yes Scotland, the official pro-independence group, spent £1,420,800. Both groups were allowed to spend up to £1.5million during the regulated period.

In addition, political parties spent considerable sums campaigning.

The SNP spent £1,298,567; Labour £732,482, and the Conservatives £356, 191, according to figures released by the Electoral Commission last year.

A former Better Together source said: "We don't understand where the £57,000 comes from.

"We are aware of three train tickets for which we could provide neither receipts nor bank statements. But we have accepted the fine, paid it and moved on."

A Better Together spokesman said: "We are disappointed with this decision.

"However, we cannot afford to become involved in a lengthy and expensive legal challenge. There is no suggestion from the Electoral Commission that there is a dispute about any of our campaign expenditure.



"We kept the Electoral Commission informed at every stage. There were a small number of items for which we could not get receipts but we were able to show what the money was spent on.



"We are sorry that our representations appear to have been ignored. We are pleased that the Commission recognises that we worked with them to provide as much information as we could.



"As the Commission has said, additional evidence was provided after the deadline and there is no evidence to suggest that any omissions were deliberate."

SNP MSP Kevin Stewart said: "Better Together clearly spent all its time spreading fears and smears, and no time keeping proper financial records.”

"Instead of the fines levied being wired straight to HM Treasury coffers, they should be put to better use mitigating the impact of Tory cuts here in Scotland."