Petition · past parliament
Make it a crime to lie during an election/referendum campaign
Rejected
21 signatures
What the petition asks
The conduct of politicians and other individuals making public statements during the EU referendum is unacceptable and should be criminalised. In commercial activities, such wilful misrepresentation and intentional deceit for gain would be fraudulent and subject to penalty and criminal proceedings.
It is unacceptable for any participant in an election or referendum campaign to either make a statement that they know to be incorrect or to make a claim that is outside their direct ability to deliver if they win the vote.
The test should be if they are challenged they must immediately clarify and evidence their claim. If they cannot they should immediately retract the statement, apologise and not make it again.
Failing to do so should be a crime.
The test should be if they are challenged they must immediately clarify and evidence their claim. If they cannot they should immediately retract the statement, apologise and not make it again.
Failing to do so should be a crime.
Why it was rejected
There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.
Timeline
| 25 Jun 2016 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 8 Jul 2016 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
21
Status
Rejected
Rejected
8 Jul 2016
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.