Ganesh Kendale
TOI CORRESPONDENT from London: Donald Trump’s lawyer has written to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to request an immediate investigation into “blatant foreign interference” in the US presidential election by the UK Labour party, alleging that “illegal foreign contributions” were made by Labour to Kamala Harris’ campaign.
This comes after a LinkedIn post by Labour head of operations Sofia Patel surfaced last week in which she said 100 Labour party staff were going to the US to campaign for Harris in battleground states.“We will sort your housing,” she said, adding she has “10 spots available”.
The letter from Trump’s deputy general counsel, Gary Lawkoski, which has sparked fears the US-UK relationship could be soured if Trump wins on November 5, points out that foreign nationals “may not be compensated, may not make expenditures, and may not direct or control activities of US campaigns”.
It states Patel’s post “creates a reasonable inference that the Labour Party has made, and the Harris campaign has accepted, illegal foreign national contributions”.
The language “supports a reasonable inference that the Labour Party will finance at least travel and facilitate room and board,” the letter says, pointing out the Australian Labour Party’s campaigning for Bernie Sanders in 2016 led to a $14,500 fine.
Even if they are volunteers, Labour appears to be using party resources, including paid staff time, to coordinate their travel, the letter says. “There is reason to believe that foreign nationals are exercising direction and control over elements of the Harris campaign,” it continues, referring to “the similarity in messaging” between her campaign and Labour.
UK PM Keir Starmer played down the row, saying Labour always sends volunteers to campaign for Democrats every election and that they stay with volunteers.
“It is common practice for campaigners of all political persuasions from around the world to volunteer in US elections. Where Labour activists take part, they do so at their own expense, in accordance with the laws and rules,” a Labour party spokesperson said.
The FEC said: “Due to confidentiality requirements, we are unable to provide information regarding complaints that may be filed with the agency. Any enforcement matters must be kept confidential until they are resolved and closed.”
