A secretive group that has spent hundreds of thousands of pounds encouraging voters to back a hard Brexit is being investigated by Britain’s data watchdog, it has emerged.
MPs had already raised concerns about the activities of the anonymous Mainstream Network group, whose ads and website encourage readers to “chuck Chequers”, referring to Theresa May’s proposed Brexit deal. It is has been estimated that it could have spent up to £250,000 on the ads.
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has now confirmed it is examining whether an email campaign by Mainstream Network, organised to lobby MPs to “bin Chequers”, may have breached new GDPR rules governing personal data.It follows the decision by the commissioner to fine the Brexit campaign group Leave.EU and an insurance company owned by Brexit-backer Arron Banks over breaches of data laws.
A report by the commissioner stated that Leave.EU and Eldon Insurance – trading as GoSkippy – were being fined £60,000 for serious breaches of the law that governs electronic marketing. It said “a disturbing disregard for voters’ personal privacy” had been uncovered.
The organisers and funders of Mainstream Network remain anonymous, while there are no details on its website. Tech experts who had examined the site also suggested that whoever set it up had gone to some lengths to hide any clues to their identity. There are no obvious records for the group held by Companies House.
As well as using ads and its website to push its anti-Chequers message, Mainstream Network has also targeted social media users with Facebook ads, encouraging them to lobby their MP to oppose May’s deal and support a total break with the EU.
Mainstream Network’s most recent stories include a report on a trip to China by Liam Fox, the international trade secretary, to champion UK exporters. In…
