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Brown faces new donor questions Brown faces new donor questions
(10 minutes later)
Gordon Brown faces fresh questions over the Labour donation row after the man at its heart said he had received a letter from Labour's chief fundraiser.Gordon Brown faces fresh questions over the Labour donation row after the man at its heart said he had received a letter from Labour's chief fundraiser.
The row centres on property developer David Abrahams's £663,975 of donations to Labour under other people's names.The row centres on property developer David Abrahams's £663,975 of donations to Labour under other people's names.
Mr Abrahams, who says he did not know he was breaking any rules, said he took the letter he got from Jon Mendelson as an invitation to donate more money. Mr Abrahams, who says he did not know he was breaking any rules, said he took the letter he got from Jon Mendelsohn as an invitation to donate more money.
The Tories say Mr Mendelson "must go" if he knew the donations' true source. The Tories say Mr Mendelsohn "must go" if he knew the donations' true source.
It suggests knowledge of the unlawful donations may go much wider in Labour than implied when general secretary Peter Watt quit on Monday saying he had known about them but had not realised they broke any laws.It suggests knowledge of the unlawful donations may go much wider in Labour than implied when general secretary Peter Watt quit on Monday saying he had known about them but had not realised they broke any laws.
'Strong supporter''Strong supporter'
Mr Abrahams told the BBC he received a letter from the party's chief fundraiser on Tuesday calling him one of Labour's "strongest supporters".Mr Abrahams told the BBC he received a letter from the party's chief fundraiser on Tuesday calling him one of Labour's "strongest supporters".
According to Mr Abrahams, the letter read: "At some point I would like to have the opportunity to talk with you personally about what we are doing and our plans between now and the next general election.According to Mr Abrahams, the letter read: "At some point I would like to have the opportunity to talk with you personally about what we are doing and our plans between now and the next general election.
DONORS Ray Ruddick - £196,850Janet Kidd - £185,000 since 2003John McCarthy - £257,125 since 2004Janet Dunn - £25,000Source: Electoral Commission Analysis: Fighting fires Q&A: Donations row Profile: David AbrahamsDONORS Ray Ruddick - £196,850Janet Kidd - £185,000 since 2003John McCarthy - £257,125 since 2004Janet Dunn - £25,000Source: Electoral Commission Analysis: Fighting fires Q&A: Donations row Profile: David Abrahams
"I know your diary is very busy, but as one of the party's strongest supporters it is only right that you are kept informed with what we are doing and the priorities that we are assigning to our resources.""I know your diary is very busy, but as one of the party's strongest supporters it is only right that you are kept informed with what we are doing and the priorities that we are assigning to our resources."
Asked about the letter, Labour's chief whip Geoff Hoon said he did not know anything about it, but it would be examined in the inquiry into what had happened.Asked about the letter, Labour's chief whip Geoff Hoon said he did not know anything about it, but it would be examined in the inquiry into what had happened.
The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said Mr Mendelson had been told about the arrangement by Peter Watt last month, but had not been happy about it and had written to Mr Abrahams to try to put his donations on a proper footing. The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said Mr Mendelsohn had been told about the arrangement by Peter Watt last month, but had not been happy about it and had written to Mr Abrahams to try to put his donations on a proper footing.
Personal fundraiserPersonal fundraiser
But shadow chancellor George Osborne said: "If Jon Mendelson knew and was party to something that was unacceptable and unlawful he should follow Peter Watt and leave his post. But shadow chancellor George Osborne said: "If Jon Mendelsohn knew and was party to something that was unacceptable and unlawful he should follow Peter Watt and leave his post.
"After all, he is Gordon Brown's personal fundraiser and in charge of raising money for Labour's general election campaign.""After all, he is Gordon Brown's personal fundraiser and in charge of raising money for Labour's general election campaign."
Mr Brown said the money was not lawfully declaredMr Brown said the money was not lawfully declared
Mr Abrahams has said he did not know how many people within the party knew of his donations.Mr Abrahams has said he did not know how many people within the party knew of his donations.
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.
He told the BBC: "Until the weekend I didn't know it was illegal for a person who hadn't personally donated to have to declare his hand to the Electoral Commission, otherwise I most certainly wouldn't have contributed in this way."He told the BBC: "Until the weekend I didn't know it was illegal for a person who hadn't personally donated to have to declare his hand to the Electoral Commission, otherwise I most certainly wouldn't have contributed in this way."
'Completely unacceptable''Completely unacceptable'
On Tuesday it emerged he had used a fourth person's name to give money. When questioned by reporters afterwards Janet Dunn said she had known nothing about it - adding that she was a Conservative supporter.On Tuesday it emerged he had used a fourth person's name to give money. When questioned by reporters afterwards Janet Dunn said she had known nothing about it - adding that she was a Conservative supporter.
Gordon Brown, who faces his weekly grilling at prime minister's questions, has said the donations were "completely unacceptable" and would be repaid.Gordon Brown, who faces his weekly grilling at prime minister's questions, has said the donations were "completely unacceptable" and would be repaid.
Mr Watt said he knew about Mr Abrahams' funding arrangementMr Watt said he knew about Mr Abrahams' funding arrangement
Mr Brown said it appeared to have been a practice which had been going on "for some years" - but he was first told about it on Saturday evening.Mr Brown said it appeared to have been a practice which had been going on "for some years" - but he was first told about it on Saturday evening.
Once the facts were established, Mr Watt's resignation was "a necessary first step" but the party would also return the money and two lords have been appointed to advise the party on changes that would be necessary in relation to donations.Once the facts were established, Mr Watt's resignation was "a necessary first step" but the party would also return the money and two lords have been appointed to advise the party on changes that would be necessary in relation to donations.
The Electoral Commission is investigating whether the donations breached the Political Parties and Referendums Act 2000 and has confirmed it has been "in touch" with the Crown Prosecution Service.The Electoral Commission is investigating whether the donations breached the Political Parties and Referendums Act 2000 and has confirmed it has been "in touch" with the Crown Prosecution Service.
Who gave what?Who gave what?
During the election campaign to determine who would succeed John Prescott as Labour's deputy leader, money was offered to Hilary Benn and Harriet Harman's campaigns, in Janet Kidd's name.During the election campaign to determine who would succeed John Prescott as Labour's deputy leader, money was offered to Hilary Benn and Harriet Harman's campaigns, in Janet Kidd's name.
HAVE YOUR SAY Crisis is an understatement! Polaris69, Kent Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY Crisis is an understatement! Polaris69, Kent Send us your comments
Ms Harman accepted it but Mr Benn's team turned it down because he was told it was on behalf of Mr Abrahams. He later accepted it when it was donated in Mr Abrahams' name.Ms Harman accepted it but Mr Benn's team turned it down because he was told it was on behalf of Mr Abrahams. He later accepted it when it was donated in Mr Abrahams' name.
Ms Harman, whose husband is the Labour Party's treasurer, said she had no reason to think the money came from Mr Abrahams and she had accepted Mrs Kidd as a "pre-existing Labour donor".Ms Harman, whose husband is the Labour Party's treasurer, said she had no reason to think the money came from Mr Abrahams and she had accepted Mrs Kidd as a "pre-existing Labour donor".
The Conservatives have challenged her to answer a series of questions, including why the £5,000 donation was given to Ms Harman two weeks after she was elected deputy leader, rather than during the campaign.The Conservatives have challenged her to answer a series of questions, including why the £5,000 donation was given to Ms Harman two weeks after she was elected deputy leader, rather than during the campaign.

WHO GAVE WHAT WHEN

UNDER GENERAL SECRETARY DAVID TRIESMAN Janet Dunn 31 January 2003 £25,000 Janet Kidd 06 May 2003 £25,000 Ray Ruddick 18 August 2003 £25,000 UNDER GENERAL SECRETARY MATT CARTER John McCarthy 12 January 2004 £15,000 Janet Kidd 01 April 2004 £10,000 Janet Kidd 27 October 2004 £2,000 John McCarthy 05 February 2005 £25,000 John McCarthy 01 June 2005 £25,000 UNDER GENERAL SECRETARY PETER WATT John McCarthy 22 December 2005 £52,125 Janet Kidd 23 December 2005 £30,000 Ray Ruddick 23 December 2005 £17,850 John McCarthy 21 April 2006 £50,000 Ray Ruddick 24 May 2006 £50,000 John McCarthy 28 June 2007 £35,000 Janet Kidd 29 June 2007 £38,000 Ray Ruddick 29 June 2007 £24,000 Janet Kidd 10 July 2007 £80,000 Ray Ruddick 10 July 2007 £80,000 John McCarthy 10 July 2007 £55,000   Total £663,975 Source: Electoral Commission .

WHO GAVE WHAT WHEN

UNDER GENERAL SECRETARY DAVID TRIESMAN Janet Dunn 31 January 2003 £25,000 Janet Kidd 06 May 2003 £25,000 Ray Ruddick 18 August 2003 £25,000 UNDER GENERAL SECRETARY MATT CARTER John McCarthy 12 January 2004 £15,000 Janet Kidd 01 April 2004 £10,000 Janet Kidd 27 October 2004 £2,000 John McCarthy 05 February 2005 £25,000 John McCarthy 01 June 2005 £25,000 UNDER GENERAL SECRETARY PETER WATT John McCarthy 22 December 2005 £52,125 Janet Kidd 23 December 2005 £30,000 Ray Ruddick 23 December 2005 £17,850 John McCarthy 21 April 2006 £50,000 Ray Ruddick 24 May 2006 £50,000 John McCarthy 28 June 2007 £35,000 Janet Kidd 29 June 2007 £38,000 Ray Ruddick 29 June 2007 £24,000 Janet Kidd 10 July 2007 £80,000 Ray Ruddick 10 July 2007 £80,000 John McCarthy 10 July 2007 £55,000   Total £663,975 Source: Electoral Commission .