BNP faces £5,000 fine for not filing annual accounts

The British National Party could face a £5,000 fine after failing to file its annual accounts with the elections watchdog, it emerged today.

All political parties are required by law to register their accounts with the Electoral Commission.

But the BNP has yet to lodge this year's figures, despite having been granted an extension by the Commission. The figures, checked by an independent auditor, should have been filed by 7 July.

The Commission extended the deadline to the end of the month but it is still to receive a response from the BNP. It is now warning it could report the offence to the police, leaving the BNP open to a maximum fine of £5,000.