Boris Johnson is to strip the Electoral Commission of the power to prosecute law-breaking, just weeks after it launched an investigation into his controversial flat refurbishment.

The watchdog has been threatened with curbs ever since it embarrassed senior Tory figures by fining Vote Leave for busting spending limits for the Brexit referendum.

Now ministers have announced that a new Elections Bill will remove its ability to prosecute criminal offences under electoral law – arguing it “wastes public money”*.

The watchdog launched an immediate protest, warning the move would “place a fetter on the commission which would limit its activity”.

The shake-up was condemned as a “thinly-veiled government power grab”** by the Electoral Reform Society.

Jess Garland, the Electoral Reform Society’s policy director, said: