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Alexander to continue as leader | Alexander to continue as leader |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Wendy Alexander intends to carry on as Scottish Labour leader, despite continued pressure for her to quit over a donation to her leadership campaign. | Wendy Alexander intends to carry on as Scottish Labour leader, despite continued pressure for her to quit over a donation to her leadership campaign. |
It follows suggestions in the press that her campaign team knew there were question marks over a donation from Jersey-based businessman Paul Green. | It follows suggestions in the press that her campaign team knew there were question marks over a donation from Jersey-based businessman Paul Green. |
Ms Alexander rejected any suggestion of "intentional wrongdoing" and was "confident" of being exonerated. | Ms Alexander rejected any suggestion of "intentional wrongdoing" and was "confident" of being exonerated. |
She said she still had a contribution to make to the lives of fellow Scots. | She said she still had a contribution to make to the lives of fellow Scots. |
A £950 donation from Mr Green to Ms Alexander's leadership campaign broke rules outlawing donations from people based outside the UK. | A £950 donation from Mr Green to Ms Alexander's leadership campaign broke rules outlawing donations from people based outside the UK. |
I offered myself to lead Labour in the Scottish Parliament in the autumn because I believed and continue to believe I have a contribution to make to improve the lives of my fellow Scots Wendy AlexanderScottish Labour leader class="" href="/1/hi/scotland/6921903.stm">Wendy Alexander profile | |
The Sunday Herald newspaper has now suggested that her campaign team was aware early last month that the donation may not be permissible. | The Sunday Herald newspaper has now suggested that her campaign team was aware early last month that the donation may not be permissible. |
The Electoral Commission watchdog has already been in contact with Ms Alexander, looking for details of all the donations made to her campaign fund. | The Electoral Commission watchdog has already been in contact with Ms Alexander, looking for details of all the donations made to her campaign fund. |
In a statement, Ms Alexander, the sister of International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander, said: "I deeply regret the damage which recent publicity has brought to the Labour party. | In a statement, Ms Alexander, the sister of International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander, said: "I deeply regret the damage which recent publicity has brought to the Labour party. |
"However, I reject any suggestion of intentional wrongdoing on my part. I intend to address these matters with the Electoral Commission, with whom I am co-operating fully. | "However, I reject any suggestion of intentional wrongdoing on my part. I intend to address these matters with the Electoral Commission, with whom I am co-operating fully. |
"I am confident when all the facts are known I will be exonerated of any intentional wrongdoing." | "I am confident when all the facts are known I will be exonerated of any intentional wrongdoing." |
SNP deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon said Ms Alexander's position looked "untenable". | SNP deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon said Ms Alexander's position looked "untenable". |
She said: "The only reason Ms Alexander is staying in post is to act as a human shield for Gordon Brown whose sole priority is not her interests or Scottish Labour; it's to prevent the house of cards collapsing down south. | She said: "The only reason Ms Alexander is staying in post is to act as a human shield for Gordon Brown whose sole priority is not her interests or Scottish Labour; it's to prevent the house of cards collapsing down south. |
"The Scottish Labour leader has been presented with incontrovertible evidence yet has resorted to a vow of silence. | "The Scottish Labour leader has been presented with incontrovertible evidence yet has resorted to a vow of silence. |
"None of the questions posed have been answered, none of the issues settled. | "None of the questions posed have been answered, none of the issues settled. |
"Wendy Alexander certainly can't hide behind an electoral commission inquiry and likely forthcoming police inquiry without answering any of the obvious questions; who knew what, when and how." | "Wendy Alexander certainly can't hide behind an electoral commission inquiry and likely forthcoming police inquiry without answering any of the obvious questions; who knew what, when and how." |
Scottish Conservative deputy leader Murdo Fraser said Ms Alexander had no future and was now a "lame duck leader". | Scottish Conservative deputy leader Murdo Fraser said Ms Alexander had no future and was now a "lame duck leader". |
'Scottish contribution' | 'Scottish contribution' |
Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael added: "This is a very big mess for Labour. | Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael added: "This is a very big mess for Labour. |
"Labour wrote the rules on party donations themselves yet seem unable to stick to them." | "Labour wrote the rules on party donations themselves yet seem unable to stick to them." |
Meanwhile, SNP researcher Mark Hirst, acting in a personal capacity, has asked police to investigate the donation. | Meanwhile, SNP researcher Mark Hirst, acting in a personal capacity, has asked police to investigate the donation. |
Strathclyde Police said: "We can confirm we have received an e-mail and the matter will be looked into." | Strathclyde Police said: "We can confirm we have received an e-mail and the matter will be looked into." |
Ms Alexander, MSP for Paisley North, said there was "a great deal more" she wanted to say, but added that it would be inappropriate in light of the commission's ongoing inquiry. | Ms Alexander, MSP for Paisley North, said there was "a great deal more" she wanted to say, but added that it would be inappropriate in light of the commission's ongoing inquiry. |
"I offered myself to lead Labour in the Scottish Parliament in the autumn because I believed and continue to believe I have a contribution to make to improve the lives of my fellow Scots," added Ms Alexander. | "I offered myself to lead Labour in the Scottish Parliament in the autumn because I believed and continue to believe I have a contribution to make to improve the lives of my fellow Scots," added Ms Alexander. |