Elon Musk has been left furious after Labour staffers were drafted in to campaign for Kamala Harris in four swing states, declaring online: “This is war!”
Republicans have criticised the Labour Party, as well as the Democratic campaign, after it was revealed that Labour had sent almost 100 party staffers to Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia, which are considered some of the key states likely to determine the outcome of the election result in just over two weeks’ time.
Tech boss and Republican campaigner Elon Musk responded to the news, claiming that the decision was “illegal”.
Searching for even more volunteers, Labour’s Head of Operations, Sofia Patel, advertised online last week: “I have nearly 100 Labour party staff, current and former, going to the US in the next few weeks, heading to North Carolina, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
Currently, there is no evidence that proves that Labour has made donations to the Democrats, which is illegal under electoral law (Stock)
Getty
“I have 10 spots available for anyone available to head to the battleground state of [North] Carolina – we will sort your housing.”
The independent body, the Federal Electoral Commission, which is responsible for overseeing US campaign finances, has indicated that foreign volunteers are not permitted to donate money to campaigns, nor are they permitted to “participate in the decision-making process”.
However, foreign volunteers are allowed to participate in campaign activities, as long as they are registered as an “uncompensated volunteer”.
In response, Donald Trump’s campaign has filed a complaint regarding the Labour Party’s “blatant foreign interference” in the presidential election in November.
The complaint stated that foreign nationals were banned from “directly or indirectly” making “a contribution or donation of money or another thing of value, or to make an express or implied promise to make a contribution or donation” in their support for a US candidate.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Trump’s former aide, Sebastian Gorka, has said: “It’s complete interference in American politics and an incredible show of desperation that, not only would this come up as an idea, but that this would be permitted or encouraged by the Kamala campaign.
“I think the real extent of the damage will be clear after if, God willing, the America First team wins and president Trump is victorious in November.
“The UK has a very special place in President Trump’s heart, but why on earth would Labour be doing this in America three weeks before the presidential election?
“What would Starmer think if President Trump sent a team to campaign against him in the UK?”
Tech boss and Republican campaigner Elon Musk responded to the news, claiming that the decision was “illegal”
Getty
Currently, there is no evidence that proves that Labour has made donations to the Democrats, which is illegal under electoral law.
A Labour Party spokesperson said: “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.”
It is understood that those campaigning in the US election are volunteering in a personal capacity, at their own expense and own time, nor are they organised or funded by the Labour Party.
Additionally, it is understood to be standard procedure that the Labour Party sends a delegation to the Democrat convention each time and denies that No10’s Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney and Downing Street’s Director of Communications Matthew Doyle advised or assisted Kamala Harris’s campaign.
