Spending returns of Stronger In and Vote Leave campaigns under investigation

The spending returns of the Stronger In and Vote Leave lead campaigns in during last year's EU referendum are being investigated, the Electoral Commission has announced.

New figures released by the independent body, which oversees elections and regulates political finance, revealed:

The Commission said after an initial inspection of both sides' spending returns it found neither Stronger In nor Vote Leave had submitted all the necessary invoices and receipts to back up their accounts.

The watchdog also said details of suppliers were missing for some payments.

The Commission's director of political finance, Bob Posner, said: "It is disappointing that some campaigners, including both lead campaigners, appear to have not fully reported all their spending as they should have."

"Missing spending details undermines transparency and makes the returns harder for the public to understand.

"Where it appears campaigners have not fulfilled their legal obligations, we have begun and will continue to take action to deal with this," he added.

The Brexit referendum was the most expensive in political history, according to the watchdog. Credit: PA

The spending returns show that the Brexit battle was the most expensive referendum ever fought in British political history, said the Commission.

Boris Johnson was a leading figure during the Vote Leave campaign. Credit: PA
David Cameron supported the Stronger in campaign during the referendum battle. Credit: PA

The spending returns show that the Brexit battle was the most expensive referendum ever fought in British political history, said the Commission.

A Vote Leave spokesman said: "Vote Leave's accounts were approved by external auditors and we believe we have fully complied with all the spending regulations for the EU referendum.

'Vote Leave will fully co-operate with the Electoral Commission's investigation."