Ganesh Kendale
Donald Trump’s campaign has filed a Federal Election Commission (FEC) complaint against the UK’s Labour Party, accusing it of “blatant foreign interference” in the US election in aid of the Harris-Walz campaign.
The complaint cites media reports about contact between Labour and the Harris campaign, as well as apparent volunteering efforts, arguing that this amounts to illegal “contributions”.
The BBC understands that Labour activists campaigning in the US presidential election are doing so in a personal capacity.
The Labour Party has not issued an official response.
Specifically, the complaint cites newspaper reporting that Labour-linked individuals have travelled to the US to campaign for Harris.
That reporting, the complaint alleges, creates a “reasonable inference that the Labour Party has made, and the Harris campaign has accepted, illegal foreign national contributions.”
The letter also refers to Washington Post reporting that the advice has been exchanged between the parties and that senior officials have met in private.
Additionally, the complaint cites a social media post on LinkedIn in which a Labour staff member said that “nearly 100” current and former party members will be headed to battleground states in the US.
Labour activists’ trips are not organised or funded by the party, it is understood from party officials.
Foreign nationals are permitted to serve as campaign volunteers as long as they are not compensated, according to FEC rules.
The BBC has contacted the Harris-Walz campaign for comment.
