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Spotlight on Osborne in donor row | Spotlight on Osborne in donor row |
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The shadow chancellor is likely to face more questions over claims he tried to solicit a £50,000 donation for the Tories from a Russian billionaire. | The shadow chancellor is likely to face more questions over claims he tried to solicit a £50,000 donation for the Tories from a Russian billionaire. |
Financier Nathaniel Rothschild insists George Osborne did discuss a donation from Oleg Deripaska in front of a witness at his Corfu home in August. | Financier Nathaniel Rothschild insists George Osborne did discuss a donation from Oleg Deripaska in front of a witness at his Corfu home in August. |
He also says Mr Osborne asked about ways to get round the ban on overseas residents donating to UK parties. | He also says Mr Osborne asked about ways to get round the ban on overseas residents donating to UK parties. |
Mr Osborne has denied these claims and has been backed by David Cameron. | Mr Osborne has denied these claims and has been backed by David Cameron. |
The Tory leader said the shadow chancellor had shown the "right judgement" by not asking for or taking any money. | The Tory leader said the shadow chancellor had shown the "right judgement" by not asking for or taking any money. |
But Labour MP and chairman of the Public Administration Select Committee Tony Wright said Mr Osborne had actually made a "fundamental misjudgement". | But Labour MP and chairman of the Public Administration Select Committee Tony Wright said Mr Osborne had actually made a "fundamental misjudgement". |
"The simple fact is once the issue of donations arose in the context of a foreign billionaire, George Osborne should have run a mile and not sought to get closer," he said. | "The simple fact is once the issue of donations arose in the context of a foreign billionaire, George Osborne should have run a mile and not sought to get closer," he said. |
Yacht | Yacht |
Mr Rothschild has said he will not "back down" and is prepared to defend his claims in court. | Mr Rothschild has said he will not "back down" and is prepared to defend his claims in court. |
He alleged he had discussed the idea of a donation via Mr Deripaska's UK firm, Leyland DAF, three times on 24 August - with Mr Osborne and Tory fundraiser Andrew Feldman. | |
He said the first discussion, held in his Corfu home, was witnessed by a New York fund manager, James Goodwin. | He said the first discussion, held in his Corfu home, was witnessed by a New York fund manager, James Goodwin. |
People make suggestions all the time about donations to the Conservative Party George Osborne, Shadow chancellor Read Nick's blog in fullRead Robert Peston's blogWho's who in the row | People make suggestions all the time about donations to the Conservative Party George Osborne, Shadow chancellor Read Nick's blog in fullRead Robert Peston's blogWho's who in the row |
He said Mr Goodwin also "recalled" that the subject of a donation "arose briefly" later when the men were guests on Mr Deripaska's yacht but the "conversation gained no traction". | He said Mr Goodwin also "recalled" that the subject of a donation "arose briefly" later when the men were guests on Mr Deripaska's yacht but the "conversation gained no traction". |
Mr Rothschild said the subject was raised again with Mr Osborne later that evening, in which he said the shadow chancellor was "interested in whether and how such a donation could be secured". | Mr Rothschild said the subject was raised again with Mr Osborne later that evening, in which he said the shadow chancellor was "interested in whether and how such a donation could be secured". |
Furthermore, he added that during a conversation with Mr Feldman in the middle of September, he was "left with the impression that the Conservative Party remained interested in pursuing it". | Furthermore, he added that during a conversation with Mr Feldman in the middle of September, he was "left with the impression that the Conservative Party remained interested in pursuing it". |
On Tuesday, Mr Osborne denied asking for any money, but did not rule out having discussed a donation. | On Tuesday, Mr Osborne denied asking for any money, but did not rule out having discussed a donation. |
He said: "People make suggestions all the time about donations to the Conservative Party, but we are always clear and rigorous [in assessing these]." | He said: "People make suggestions all the time about donations to the Conservative Party, but we are always clear and rigorous [in assessing these]." |
The Conservatives say the possibility of a donation was raised by Mr Rothschild, but any suggestion that money could be routed through Leyland DAF was rejected. | The Conservatives say the possibility of a donation was raised by Mr Rothschild, but any suggestion that money could be routed through Leyland DAF was rejected. |
The Lib Dems said a "lot more questions" had to be answered about the affair and called for a parliamentary inquiry. | The Lib Dems said a "lot more questions" had to be answered about the affair and called for a parliamentary inquiry. |