AN INVESTIGATION into a political party’s financial reports has been ended with no further action to be taken, the Advertiser can reveal.

The Andover Alliance had been under investigation by the Electoral Commission - the body that regulates party and election finances - over the late submission of financial documents.

As reported in the Advertiser, an email seen by this newspaper noted that “the Quarter 2 2019 donations and loans returns remain outstanding” with the Electoral Commission seeking a response from the party.

However, the case now appears to be closed with the investigation having been concluded and no sanctions being imposed.

A letter from the Electoral Commission, written to party chairman Richard Rowles, read: “The Commission is proposing to take no further action in this case.

“The reports were delivered late, but the Commission is satisfied that it is not proportionate or in the public interest to impose any sanction.”

The party chairman had previously said that he had been in ongoing communication with representatives from the Electoral Commission, who ‘completely understood’ the situation.

He also pointed the finger at town and borough councillor David Coole, who in turn denied his affiliation with the party but remains listed as the nominating officer on the Electoral Commission’s website.

Speaking to the Advertiser in January, Mr Rowles said: “Since I explained to the Electoral Commission the situation with David Coole’s vexatious activity, they were very understanding and instructed me how to complete the submission without further action.”

The party leader continued to say that the “vexatious activity” related to Mr Coole “saying that his donation [to the party] was a loan,” which Mr Rowles says is not true.

David Coole, meanwhile, had previously distanced himself from the situation, noting that he is not involved with the “internal wranglings” of the Andover Alliance as he is no longer a member.