MP Calls For LSE Probe Over Referendum Role

The London School of Economics (LSE) should be investigated by electoral regulators over its spending on pro-European Union (EU) activity ahead of June's referendum, according to a prominent Brexit campaigner.

Sky News has obtained a letter from Bernard Jenkin, a Conservative MP and board member of Vote Leave, demanding that the LSE be probed by the Electoral Commission for "what appear to be contraventions of referendum legislation".

In his complaint, Mr Jenkin highlighted an event held at the LSE earlier this week at which the secretary-general of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)‎ said there was "no upside for the UK in Brexit".

He added that the LSE's Centre for Economic Performance, which organised the event, had "published many 'research' documents designed to influence the public to stay in the EU using highly questionable economic 'analysis'".

Mr Jenkin said it was "likely that the costs of producing this research ‎have exceeded £10,000", thereby breaching a spending limit for organisations which have not registered as campaign participants during the referendum period.

"The LSE also appears to have been working in concert with the OECD, suggesting that the OECD's referendum expenses could be attributable to the LSE," the MP wrote.

"I urge you to investigate whether the OECD and the LSE are complying with their obligations under the law."

Mr Jenkin's letter underlines the complicated definitions of referendum spending set out by the Electoral Commission, which have left many business groups and other institutions confused about what they are permitted to do before 23 June.

The OECD chief, Angel Gurria, has given a series of interviews this week in which he has declared that Brexit would be "like a tax", and damage the British economy.

Mr Jenkin said the CEP and the OECD‎ were both reliant on funding from Brussels.

"I am sure you will recognise that there is a strong public interest in ensuring that such bodies, which at times appear little more than propaganda arms of the European Commission, are subject to effective campaign controls in the run-up to the referendum," he wrote.

A spokesman for the LSE said the institution itself had adopted a neutral stance on the EU vote but added that its academics were free to express views on either side of the debate.

Sources close to the academic institution said it was "ridiculous" to suggest that it was spending money in support of continued EU membership, and pointed out that it staged hundreds of events each year.