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Labour gets most cash from donors Labour gets most cash from donors
(about 1 hour later)
Donations to the Labour Party continue to outstrip those to the Conservatives, according to Electoral Commission figures for April to June.Donations to the Labour Party continue to outstrip those to the Conservatives, according to Electoral Commission figures for April to June.
The Conservatives received individual donations of £4.6m - below Labour's £5m - but also got £1.7m of public money for policy development.The Conservatives received individual donations of £4.6m - below Labour's £5m - but also got £1.7m of public money for policy development.
Labour was in debt by £20.2m as of 30 June, with the Conservatives borrowing £16.3m, and Liberal Democrats £1m.Labour was in debt by £20.2m as of 30 June, with the Conservatives borrowing £16.3m, and Liberal Democrats £1m.
In total 20 parties got £14m donations bringing the year's tally to £25m.In total 20 parties got £14m donations bringing the year's tally to £25m.
Labour, which does not receive public money because it is in government, was given slightly more from donors compared with the previous quarter, when it received £4.99m.Labour, which does not receive public money because it is in government, was given slightly more from donors compared with the previous quarter, when it received £4.99m.
'Challenging' finances'Challenging' finances
Significant donations came from Iranian millionaire Mahmoud Khayami, who gave £500,000, and Muslim Friends of Labour gave £300,000.Significant donations came from Iranian millionaire Mahmoud Khayami, who gave £500,000, and Muslim Friends of Labour gave £300,000.
The party also received £250,000 each from millionaire Jon Aisbitt, financier Ronald Cohen, a friend and confidant of prime minister Gordon Brown, and Nigel Doughty.The party also received £250,000 each from millionaire Jon Aisbitt, financier Ronald Cohen, a friend and confidant of prime minister Gordon Brown, and Nigel Doughty.
A Labour spokesman said: "Our finances remain in a challenging position but the upturn of recent months continues to be reflected in the figures from the Electoral Commission.A Labour spokesman said: "Our finances remain in a challenging position but the upturn of recent months continues to be reflected in the figures from the Electoral Commission.
"Donations to the end of June 2007 show an increase of £3.6 million on the same stage in 2006.""Donations to the end of June 2007 show an increase of £3.6 million on the same stage in 2006."
'General election'
The Conservatives' biggest donors were Edinburgh grain merchants Philip Wilson (Grain) Ltd, who gave £300,000, followed by £287,898 from Harris Ventures Ltd, whose chairman is the Conservative peer and businessman Lord Harris of Peckham, and £250,000 from developers Gallagher UK Ltd.
Party chairman Caroline Spelman said: "Under David Cameron the Conservative Party is widening its support at base and raising more funds from a broader number of donors.
"We are more than ready to fight a general election."
The Liberal Democrats received £1.3m in donations, which included at least £500,000 from public funds.The Liberal Democrats received £1.3m in donations, which included at least £500,000 from public funds.
The UK Independence Party received £84,400, and the Scottish National Party got £623,600.The UK Independence Party received £84,400, and the Scottish National Party got £623,600.