Petition Make it an offence for a candidate to broadcast a falsehood for electoral gain.

Many feel that candidates for elected office have overstepped the boundary of what is fair or proper in campaigning. Presenting your beliefs in a favourable light is one thing, but there have been accusations of deliberate and knowing misrepresentation of fact in recent elections and the referendum.

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The recent successful action for libel brought by three MP's against an MEP from another party illustrate the problem perfectly: they were able to seek redress in a civil action for libel after a political opponent broadcast a falsehood. However, a deceived electorate cannot seek this type of redress at the High Court if it finds it was duped during an election. To provide that redress, 'Knowingly and deliberately broadcasting a falsehood for electoral gain' should be a criminal offence.

This petition closed early because of a General Election Find out more on the Petitions Committee website

13 signatures

Progress of the petition towards its next target: 13 of 10,000 signatures required to get a government response

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10,000 signatures required to get a government response

Date closed 3 May 2017
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