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Brown urges Osborne investigation Brown urges Osborne investigation
(20 minutes later)
Gordon Brown has called for an investigation into claims George Osborne tried to solicit a £50,000 donation from Oleg Deripaska.Gordon Brown has called for an investigation into claims George Osborne tried to solicit a £50,000 donation from Oleg Deripaska.
The Tories firmly deny the allegations against the shadow chancellor.The Tories firmly deny the allegations against the shadow chancellor.
Party leader David Cameron said Mr Osborne was "right" not to ask for money from the Russian billionaire.Party leader David Cameron said Mr Osborne was "right" not to ask for money from the Russian billionaire.
But speaking at prime minister's questions, Mr Brown said: "This is a very serious matter indeed and I hope it is investigated by the authorities."But speaking at prime minister's questions, Mr Brown said: "This is a very serious matter indeed and I hope it is investigated by the authorities."
Mr Brown repeatedly referred to Mr Osborne's "judgement" during the half hour session but it was left to veteran left-winger Dennis Skinner, a frequent thorn in the side of Mr Osborne in the Commons, to raise the issue head-on.Mr Brown repeatedly referred to Mr Osborne's "judgement" during the half hour session but it was left to veteran left-winger Dennis Skinner, a frequent thorn in the side of Mr Osborne in the Commons, to raise the issue head-on.
Gordon Brown calls for an investigation into the claims
As the half hour session came to an end he urged the PM to assure him he would not "cadge money" from billionaires.As the half hour session came to an end he urged the PM to assure him he would not "cadge money" from billionaires.
Pressed after prime minister's questions about which allegations Mr Brown had been referring to in his comments, Downing Street said those made "over the past 24 hours" but would give no more details.Pressed after prime minister's questions about which allegations Mr Brown had been referring to in his comments, Downing Street said those made "over the past 24 hours" but would give no more details.
The No 10 spokesman also refused to be drawn on which "authorities" would carry out an investigation, saying "whichever authorities are appropriate".The No 10 spokesman also refused to be drawn on which "authorities" would carry out an investigation, saying "whichever authorities are appropriate".
Mr Osborne has emphatically denied seeking a donation from Mr Deripaska while staying with long-time friend, the financier Nat Rothschild, in Corfu in August.Mr Osborne has emphatically denied seeking a donation from Mr Deripaska while staying with long-time friend, the financier Nat Rothschild, in Corfu in August.
'Fundamental misjudgement''Fundamental misjudgement'
Mr Rothschild says the shadow chancellor did discuss a donation in front of a witness at his home.Mr Rothschild says the shadow chancellor did discuss a donation in front of a witness at his home.
Mr Osborne has also denied claims that he asked about ways to get round a ban on overseas donations to UK parties.Mr Osborne has also denied claims that he asked about ways to get round a ban on overseas donations to UK parties.
Speaking outside his home on Wednesday morning, Conservative leader Mr Cameron said: "What matters is what you do and what you say and George Osborne was right not to ask for any money, the Conservative Party was right not to accept any money.Speaking outside his home on Wednesday morning, Conservative leader Mr Cameron said: "What matters is what you do and what you say and George Osborne was right not to ask for any money, the Conservative Party was right not to accept any money.
"And I think we have been right to set out in full all the meetings and everything that took place and others should do the same.""And I think we have been right to set out in full all the meetings and everything that took place and others should do the same."
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.
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME Read Nick's blog in fullRead Robert Peston's blogWho's who in the rowAnalysis: Question of judgementFROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME Read Nick's blog in fullRead Robert Peston's blogWho's who in the rowAnalysis: Question of judgement
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, LDV Ltd, three times on 24 August - with Mr Osborne and Tory fundraiser Andrew Feldman.He alleged he had discussed the idea of a donation via Mr Deripaska's UK firm, LDV Ltd, 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.
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".
'More questions''More questions'
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".
HAVE YOUR SAYThis is a fuss over a deal that never wasPeter, Cambridge, UKSend us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYThis is a fuss over a deal that never wasPeter, Cambridge, UKSend us your comments
Mr Osborne said on Tuesday he had not sought a donation, saying that the issue of a donation was raised by Mr Rothschild.Mr Osborne said on Tuesday he had not sought a donation, saying that the issue of a donation was raised by Mr Rothschild.
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 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.
Former Chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, Sir Alistair Graham, told the BBC it showed party funding continued to be an "awkward issue" for all parties.Former Chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, Sir Alistair Graham, told the BBC it showed party funding continued to be an "awkward issue" for all parties.