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Abrahams denies giving interview Abrahams denies giving interview
(about 9 hours later)
David Abrahams has denied giving an interview in which he was quoted saying he donated cash secretly to avoid accusations of a "Jewish conspiracy".David Abrahams has denied giving an interview in which he was quoted saying he donated cash secretly to avoid accusations of a "Jewish conspiracy".
The businessman's spokesman told the BBC, comments in the Jewish Chronicle were "misrepresented" and that he gave anonymously to protect his privacy. Comments in the Jewish Chronicle were "misrepresented" and he had donated anonymously to protect his privacy, the businessman's spokesman told the BBC.
The Jewish Chronicle said it spoke to Mr Abrahams by phone and stood by the contents of the interview.The Jewish Chronicle said it spoke to Mr Abrahams by phone and stood by the contents of the interview.
Police are probing £663,975 given to Labour by Mr Abrahams through proxies.Police are probing £663,975 given to Labour by Mr Abrahams through proxies.
'Hard work''Hard work'
Mr Abrahams had been quoted in the newspaper defending himself against claims his money had come from Israel, saying it was "earned legitimately through hard work".Mr Abrahams had been quoted in the newspaper defending himself against claims his money had come from Israel, saying it was "earned legitimately through hard work".
We talked to David Abrahams by phone at the beginning of this week's news cycle and we have notes backing everything David RowanJewish Chronicle editorWe talked to David Abrahams by phone at the beginning of this week's news cycle and we have notes backing everything David RowanJewish Chronicle editor
The newspaper also reported that he warned: "If the government starts hammering me, then it might take one or two dirty turns there as well."The newspaper also reported that he warned: "If the government starts hammering me, then it might take one or two dirty turns there as well."
But Mr Abrahams' spokesman, Martin Minns, said in a statement: "Reported comments in the Jewish Chronicle have been misrepresented.But Mr Abrahams' spokesman, Martin Minns, said in a statement: "Reported comments in the Jewish Chronicle have been misrepresented.
"He wanted to remain anonymous to protect his privacy and for no other reason."He wanted to remain anonymous to protect his privacy and for no other reason.
"All week he has refused to give the Jewish Chronicle an interview and this report warrants no further comment.""All week he has refused to give the Jewish Chronicle an interview and this report warrants no further comment."
Third-partiesThird-parties
The editor of the Jewish Chronicle, David Rowan, told Newsnight the paper had talked to Mr Abrahams "by phone at the beginning of this week's news cycle and we have notes backing everything".The editor of the Jewish Chronicle, David Rowan, told Newsnight the paper had talked to Mr Abrahams "by phone at the beginning of this week's news cycle and we have notes backing everything".
"He subsequently didn't grant a full one-to-one interview but we stand by everything," he added."He subsequently didn't grant a full one-to-one interview but we stand by everything," he added.
Mr Abrahams' donations were unlawful because people must use their own names when giving more than £5,000 to political parties.Mr Abrahams' donations were unlawful because people must use their own names when giving more than £5,000 to political parties.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said the party will pay all of the money back, and Labour officials have been holding talks with the Electoral Commission as to how this should be done.Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said the party will pay all of the money back, and Labour officials have been holding talks with the Electoral Commission as to how this should be done.
Opposition parties have criticised Mr Brown's insistence that he knew nothing about the third-party arrangements.Opposition parties have criticised Mr Brown's insistence that he knew nothing about the third-party arrangements.
Conservative leader David Cameron has said this "beggars belief", while the Liberal Democrats' acting leader, Vince Cable, called the scandal a "sleazy affair".Conservative leader David Cameron has said this "beggars belief", while the Liberal Democrats' acting leader, Vince Cable, called the scandal a "sleazy affair".
The disputed interview with Mr Abrahams is published in Friday's edition of the Jewish Chronicle.The disputed interview with Mr Abrahams is published in Friday's edition of the Jewish Chronicle.