Craig denies election law wrongdoing

Former Conservative Party leader Colin Craig and his wife Helen Craig. Photo / Nick Reed

Colin Craig says new allegations that he broke electoral laws are just an extension of a "dirty politics" campaign against him.

The former Conservative Party leader also said he would probably raise the amount of compensation he was seeking from former board member John Stringer in light of the most recent accusations.

In the latest development in the bitter dispute between the two men, Mr Stringer claims that he has laid a complaint with Christchurch police in relation to Mr Craig's spending and electoral returns during the general election.

Police could not confirm whether they had heard from Mr Stringer yesterday. The Electoral Commission confirmed that it had received a formal complaint from Mr Stringer yesterday afternoon.

At a press conference, Mr Stringer claimed he had evidence that the former Conservative leader filed false returns in five electorates, including in East Coast Bays where he was a candidate.

Mr Stringer, who was the campaign manager in East Coast Bays, alleges that Mr Craig committed a number of "serious offences, illegal practices and corrupt practices" under the Electoral Act.

He alleged Mr Craig deliberately omitted invoices and under-reported the costs of publicity material.

Mr Stringer also accused Mr Craig of spending more than the electoral cap in several electorates - in one case by $2000 - and then shuffling the spending into other electorates in his election returns to conceal it.

"He has taken greater amounts from electorates which pushed them over the electoral cap of $25,700 ... and allocated lesser costs to other electorates, thereby misleading the Electoral Commission."

Mr Craig dismissed the allegations yesterday, saying it was a continuation of a smear campaign by Mr Stringer, blogger Cameron Slater and lawyer Jordan Williams.

"The claims are not true, and I'd be very happy to talk to the Electoral Commission and answer any questions they have."

Mr Craig is already seeking damages of $600,000 from Mr Stringer as part of a defamation claim.