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/7176152.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Hain 'sorry' for donation errors Hain 'sorry' for donation errors
(about 14 hours later)
Cabinet minister Peter Hain has apologised for failing to register some of the donations given to his Labour deputy leadership campaign.Cabinet minister Peter Hain has apologised for failing to register some of the donations given to his Labour deputy leadership campaign.
The Work and Pensions Secretary said he blamed "administrative failings", which he described as "deeply regrettable".The Work and Pensions Secretary said he blamed "administrative failings", which he described as "deeply regrettable".
Although he declared donations of £82,000, the Guardian newspaper claims the real figure may be over £100,000.Although he declared donations of £82,000, the Guardian newspaper claims the real figure may be over £100,000.
Mr Hain said he had undertaken a full audit and would be providing the details to the Electoral Commission.Mr Hain said he had undertaken a full audit and would be providing the details to the Electoral Commission.
Campaign dinnerCampaign dinner
The Neath MP, who is also Welsh Secretary, revealed at the end of November that he had failed to register a £5,000 donation from Jon Mendelsohn, Labour's chief fundraiser.The Neath MP, who is also Welsh Secretary, revealed at the end of November that he had failed to register a £5,000 donation from Jon Mendelsohn, Labour's chief fundraiser.
Then at the beginning of December, Mr Hain said other donations to his campaign "were not registered as they should have been", including a £1,300 campaign dinner.Then at the beginning of December, Mr Hain said other donations to his campaign "were not registered as they should have been", including a £1,300 campaign dinner.
At the time, he said he was reviewing all campaign donations and would be submitting a full declaration to the Electoral Commission.At the time, he said he was reviewing all campaign donations and would be submitting a full declaration to the Electoral Commission.
I reiterate that this is deeply regrettable and I sincerely apologise Peter HainWork and Pensions SecretaryI reiterate that this is deeply regrettable and I sincerely apologise Peter HainWork and Pensions Secretary
The Guardian claims Mr Hain discovered that no donations had been registered after 4 May last year - six weeks before the deputy leadership contest ended.The Guardian claims Mr Hain discovered that no donations had been registered after 4 May last year - six weeks before the deputy leadership contest ended.
In a fresh statement following the Guardian's allegations, Mr Hain said: "As I said in December, as a result of administrative failings within my campaign there were donations to my deputy leadership bid which were not registered within the normal time, to the Electoral Commission.In a fresh statement following the Guardian's allegations, Mr Hain said: "As I said in December, as a result of administrative failings within my campaign there were donations to my deputy leadership bid which were not registered within the normal time, to the Electoral Commission.
"Since December I have undertaken a full audit of all donations to the campaign and have agreed with the Electoral Commission to provide the details of these late declarations to them, by the middle of January."Since December I have undertaken a full audit of all donations to the campaign and have agreed with the Electoral Commission to provide the details of these late declarations to them, by the middle of January.
"I reiterate that this is deeply regrettable and I sincerely apologise.""I reiterate that this is deeply regrettable and I sincerely apologise."
Steve Morgan, who chaired Mr Hain's deputy leadership campaign, told BBC Radio Wales: "The issue here is how will all of us manage with donations that come into a campaign after the campaign has officially closed down?
"Peter has been very open about this whole process - more so than most - and I think he's been fully co-operative with the Electoral Commission over some of these key issues, which none of us have experienced before. Donations in kind being one of them."
Police inquiryPolice inquiry
The Electoral Commission told the BBC that it has discussed the campaign's donations with Mr Hain personally and with his office.The Electoral Commission told the BBC that it has discussed the campaign's donations with Mr Hain personally and with his office.
However, it would not confirm whether a date had been set for the re-submission of the accounts.However, it would not confirm whether a date had been set for the re-submission of the accounts.
Mr Hain was one of six contenders for Labour's deputy leadership, which was eventually won by Harriet Harman.Mr Hain was one of six contenders for Labour's deputy leadership, which was eventually won by Harriet Harman.
A police inquiry is under way into proxy donations of more than £650,000 given to the Labour Party by property developer David Abrahams since 2003.A police inquiry is under way into proxy donations of more than £650,000 given to the Labour Party by property developer David Abrahams since 2003.
Mr Abrahams' donations broke electoral law because people must use their own names when giving more than £5,000 to political parties.Mr Abrahams' donations broke electoral law because people must use their own names when giving more than £5,000 to political parties.