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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. <\/p>\n
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”. <\/p>\n
The BBC understands that Labour activists campaigning in the US presidential election are doing so in a personal capacity.<\/p>\n
The Labour Party has not issued an official response. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Specifically, the complaint cites newspaper reporting that Labour-linked individuals have travelled to the US to campaign for Harris. <\/p>\n
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.” <\/p>\n
The letter refers to Washington Post reporting that communications were exchanged between the parties and that senior officials have met in private. <\/p>\n
There is no indication that the Harris campaign was aware of, or was helping to coordinate, any Labour efforts.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
The post, from Labour Party head of operations Sofia Patel, added that 10 “spots” are available and that “we will sort your housing”.<\/p>\n
It appears to have since been deleted.<\/p>\n
The complaint makes comparisons to an international programme in 2016 in which the Australian Labor Party, or ALP, sent delegates to help with Bernie Sanders’ campaign.<\/p>\n
In that instance, however, the ALP paid for flights and daily stipends. The party and the campaign were each handed down civil penalties of $14,500. <\/p>\n
Labour activists’ trips were not organised or funded by the party, it is understood from party officials. <\/p>\n
Foreign nationals are permitted to serve as campaign volunteers as long as they are not compensated, according to FEC rules. <\/p>\n
It is considered normal for party officials from the UK to be in contact with counterparts in the US. <\/p>\n
It also has taken place previously between the UK’s Conservative Party and US Republicans. <\/p>\n
The BBC has contacted the Harris-Walz campaign for comment. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n