Late submission of election expenses‘an oversight’

In a public notice published in newspapers last week it was revealed that Mr Drake had failed to submit his expenses return on time.

The Electoral Office confirmed that failure to submit a return was an offence and they would be preparing a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions. However, it was made clear that Mr Drake could still submit his return.

This week Mr Drake confirmed he had hand delivered his return and that it had now been submitted. He said the late submission was an “oversight” on his part.

“The expenses have been submitted now,” said Mr Drake. “I delivered them myself.”

He said his election agent had been on holiday following May’s election which is why the return had been late. “In fact the amount spent is quite low,” he continued. “It was carelessness on my part not to submit it on time.”

The public notification of the election expenses returns revealed that some candidates in the Lisburn area spent more than others during their campaign.

The highest return was from former Killultagh Councillor Cecil Calvert, who spent £1,411.30. Mr Calvert lost his seat during the May election.

Conservative candidate Steve McIlwrath, who failed to win a seat, spent £1,357.81 and Independent candidate Colin Preen, who also failed to capture a seat, spent £1,092.50.

Alderman Jim Dillon, who retained his seat, also spent over £1,000 during the election campaign, with one candidate, Ulster Unionist Mark Hill making a ‘Nil’ return. Mr Hill was also running for the assembly at the time.