Brexit Party 'being investigated over personal data requests made after campaign mailouts'

The Brexit Party is being investigated over complaints that it has not handed over personal data to people it sent campaign literature to.

The Information Commissioner's Office, ICO, contacted the party after people made subject access requests around the time of the European elections in May, Sky reports.

These requests allow people to ask what personal information an organisation holds about them.

The Brexit Party, fronted by Nigel Farage, has suggested the requests for information were vexatious and part of a bid to "flood" it with such tasks.

In a response to Sky, a representative of the Party said: "During the European elections, there was a coordinated attempt by campaigners to flood The Brexit Party with Subject Access Requests.

"All political parties are allowed access to the electoral register so they can send literature to voters. However, inaccurate claims circulated on social media, claiming we had acquired people's addresses improperly, leading to the written requests asking for access to information."

However, they added that the party had responded to "the vast majority of the letters" and would follow any regulations set by ICO.

An ICO statement said: “As a public body the ICO has to consider its responsibilities during the pre-election period. Our regulatory work continues as usual but we will not be commenting publicly on every issue raised during the General Election.

“We will however, be closely monitoring how personal data is being used during political campaigning and making sure that all parties and campaigns are aware of their responsibilities under data protection and direct marketing laws."

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