Sipo seeks powers to act on Youth Defence complaints

The prominent anti-abortion group, Youth Defence, has refused to declare the source of its financing despite repeated requests to do so from the political-funding watchdog.

The Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo) has written to Phil Hogan, the environment minister, seeking an increase in its powers of enforcement over organisations involved in political activity.

It follows the refusal of Youth Defence to register and furnish information and documents in relation to its activities.