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/6096380.stm

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

Version 0 Version 1
Lib Dems 'not facing cash ruin' Lib Dems 'not facing cash ruin'
(4 days later)
The Liberal Democrats would not be ruined if they were forced to forfeit a £2.4m donation, leader Sir Menzies Campbell has insisted.The Liberal Democrats would not be ruined if they were forced to forfeit a £2.4m donation, leader Sir Menzies Campbell has insisted.
The party's lawyers have said there is no need to return the cash despite a fresh Electoral Commission probe, Sir Menzies told BBC One's Sunday AM.The party's lawyers have said there is no need to return the cash despite a fresh Electoral Commission probe, Sir Menzies told BBC One's Sunday AM.
But even if they did pay it back the party would "survive", a bullish Sir Menzies told the programme.But even if they did pay it back the party would "survive", a bullish Sir Menzies told the programme.
Businessman Michael Brown - since jailed for perjury - gave the cash.Businessman Michael Brown - since jailed for perjury - gave the cash.
The Electoral Commission has said it accepts the party acted in "good faith" in accepting Brown's donation, which was used to bankroll its 2005 general election campaign.The Electoral Commission has said it accepts the party acted in "good faith" in accepting Brown's donation, which was used to bankroll its 2005 general election campaign.
But on Friday the watchdog said it had decided to re-examine the donation after a High Court judge ruled Brown's company, 5th Avenue Partners, was fraudulent and had never traded.But on Friday the watchdog said it had decided to re-examine the donation after a High Court judge ruled Brown's company, 5th Avenue Partners, was fraudulent and had never traded.
'Survive''Survive'
Under electoral law, this could make any political donations it made "impermissible", the commission said.Under electoral law, this could make any political donations it made "impermissible", the commission said.
The watchdog has said it will rule within the "next few weeks" on whether the Lib Dems will be forced to give up the donation.The watchdog has said it will rule within the "next few weeks" on whether the Lib Dems will be forced to give up the donation.
It would be paid into a government account rather than being handed back to Brown, a Scottish bond trader.It would be paid into a government account rather than being handed back to Brown, a Scottish bond trader.
Forfeiting £2.4m would cost each Lib Dem member about £33 but Sir Menzies denied this would cause financial ruin, saying "we will survive" and adding "if this comes up we'll deal with it".Forfeiting £2.4m would cost each Lib Dem member about £33 but Sir Menzies denied this would cause financial ruin, saying "we will survive" and adding "if this comes up we'll deal with it".
"Our party has been in existence for - what - the best part of 150 years. We'd go on being in existence," he told Sunday AM."Our party has been in existence for - what - the best part of 150 years. We'd go on being in existence," he told Sunday AM.
Brown, 40, was jailed for two years last month after he admitted committing perjury and making a false declaration to obtain a passport.Brown, 40, was jailed for two years last month after he admitted committing perjury and making a false declaration to obtain a passport.
The former bond trader, who is based in Spain, became the Lib Dems' biggest donor before the general election.The former bond trader, who is based in Spain, became the Lib Dems' biggest donor before the general election.
There is no suggestion the court case has anything to do with the party.There is no suggestion the court case has anything to do with the party.