This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7113255.stm
The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 9 | Version 10 |
|---|---|
| Labour boss quits over donations | Labour boss quits over donations |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Labour general secretary Peter Watt has resigned following the revelation that a property developer made donations to the party via three associates. | |
| David Abrahams, who gave almost £600,000 over four years, said Mr Watt's resignation was "sad". | |
| Mr Watt told a meeting of officers of Labour's National Executive Committee he had known about the arrangement. | Mr Watt told a meeting of officers of Labour's National Executive Committee he had known about the arrangement. |
| Under the law, those making donations on behalf of others must give details of who is providing the money. | Under the law, those making donations on behalf of others must give details of who is providing the money. |
| 'Highest standards' | 'Highest standards' |
| Mr Abrahams gave the money through colleagues Janet Kidd and Ray Ruddick, and solicitor John McCarthy. | |
| Labour is investigating the donations and the Electoral Commission has also asked the party to explain. | |
| This is a government which appears to be in a state of chaos, unable to get on with the job of governing Britain Chris GraylingConservatives Another crisis for Brown Key figures react | This is a government which appears to be in a state of chaos, unable to get on with the job of governing Britain Chris GraylingConservatives Another crisis for Brown Key figures react |
| In a statement, Mr Watt said he had always "prided myself on having complete integrity" but added that, as general secretary, he was legally responsible for the reporting obligations for the party. | |
| He added: "I was aware of arrangements whereby David Abrahams gave gifts to business associates and a solicitor who were permissible donors and who in turn passed them on to the Labour Party and I believed at the time my reporting obligations had been appropriately complied with. | He added: "I was aware of arrangements whereby David Abrahams gave gifts to business associates and a solicitor who were permissible donors and who in turn passed them on to the Labour Party and I believed at the time my reporting obligations had been appropriately complied with. |
| "As a result of press coverage over the weekend, I sought legal advice on behalf of the Labour Party. I was advised that, unbeknown to me, there were additional reporting requirements." | "As a result of press coverage over the weekend, I sought legal advice on behalf of the Labour Party. I was advised that, unbeknown to me, there were additional reporting requirements." |
| Mr Watt, a former nurse who has been Labour general secretary since 2005, said he had informed the National Executive Committee straight away. | Mr Watt, a former nurse who has been Labour general secretary since 2005, said he had informed the National Executive Committee straight away. |
| DONORS Ray Ruddick - £196,850Janet Kidd - £185,000 since 2003John McCarthy - £202,125 since 2004Source: Electoral Commission | |
| He added: "Consistent with my own and the party's commitment to the highest standards in public life, it is with great sadness I have decided to resign my position as general secretary with immediate effect." | He added: "Consistent with my own and the party's commitment to the highest standards in public life, it is with great sadness I have decided to resign my position as general secretary with immediate effect." |
| Mr Abrahams told the BBC that Mr Watt "didn't deserve to resign". | Mr Abrahams told the BBC that Mr Watt "didn't deserve to resign". |
| He added: "He was an excellent and very efficient general secretary. If he wasn't aware of the law, he should have been given another chance. | He added: "He was an excellent and very efficient general secretary. If he wasn't aware of the law, he should have been given another chance. |
| "The party should review his resignation. It's not the way forward for the Labour Party." | "The party should review his resignation. It's not the way forward for the Labour Party." |
| According to the Electoral Commission, Mr Ruddick has donated £196,850; Mrs Kidd has donated £185,000 since 2003; and Mr McCarthy £202,125 since 2004. | |
| 'Any idea?' | |
| Conservative frontbencher Chris Grayling said: "I think it's a question to put to Gordon Brown - did he have any idea about these donations? | Conservative frontbencher Chris Grayling said: "I think it's a question to put to Gordon Brown - did he have any idea about these donations? |
| "I wait with interest to hear what he has to say. But the broader issue is that day after day, week after week, we get announcements, get issues, get crises. | "I wait with interest to hear what he has to say. But the broader issue is that day after day, week after week, we get announcements, get issues, get crises. |
| "This is a government which appears to be in a state of chaos, unable to get on with the job of governing Britain." | "This is a government which appears to be in a state of chaos, unable to get on with the job of governing Britain." |
| Acting Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable said: "It is clear that there are many more questions that need to be answered about this whole affair. | Acting Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable said: "It is clear that there are many more questions that need to be answered about this whole affair. |
| "Gordon Brown promised a new style of politics upon becoming prime minister, but this promise, like so many others, has proven to be false." | "Gordon Brown promised a new style of politics upon becoming prime minister, but this promise, like so many others, has proven to be false." |