Donald Trump’s campaign filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) against the UK Labor Party, alleging “foreign interference” in the US election to help the Harris-Walz campaign.
The complaint cites media reports about contacts between Labor and the Harris campaign, as well as apparent volunteer efforts, saying these amount to illegal “donations”.
The BBC understands that labor activists campaigning in the US presidential election are doing so on a personal level.
The Labor Party has not issued an official response.
Specifically, the complaint cites a newspaper reporting that people connected to labor have traveled to the US to campaign for Harris.
That reporting, the complaint says, creates “a logical assumption that the Labor Party, and the Harris campaign, accepted illegal foreign donations.”
The letter cites the Washington Post as reporting that communications were exchanged between the parties and that senior officials met privately.
There is no indication that the Harris campaign was aware of, or helped coordinate, any Labor efforts.
Additionally, the complaint cites a social media post on LinkedIn in which a staff member said “approximately 100” current and former members will head to the US states.
The post, from Labor Party operations chief Sofia Patel, added that 10 “spots” were available and that “we will sort your houses”.
It appears to have been removed.
The appeal draws comparisons to a 2016 international program in which the Australian Labor Party, or ALP, sent delegates to help Bernie Sanders’ campaign.
In that instance, however, the ALP paid for the flights and per diem. The group and the campaign were each given civil penalties of $14,500.
The trip by labor activists was not organized or sponsored by the party, party officials said.
Foreign nationals are allowed to serve as campaign volunteers as long as they are not compensated, according to FEC rules.
It is considered normal for UK team officials to liaise with their US counterparts.
It has also happened before between the UK Conservative Party and the US Republicans.
The BBC has contacted the Harris-Walz campaign for comment.
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