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/7186473.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Hain fate 'out of Brown's hands' MPs' watchdog launches Hain probe
(about 5 hours later)
Gordon Brown has given his backing to under-fire Peter Hain, but said the minister's fate was out of his hands. The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, John Lyon, has confirmed he is to launch an investigation into the funding row surrounding Peter Hain.
Officials at the commissioner's office said Mr Lyon believed there were grounds for an inquiry, following a complaint by Tory MP David Davies.
Mr Hain could face suspension from the Commons if he is found to have flouted the rules on members' interests.
Gordon Brown has given his backing to the work and pensions secretary.
But he said the minister's fate was out of his hands.
Speaking to The Sun newspaper, the prime minister said Mr Hain was doing a "great job" and it would be a "great loss" if he had to leave the Cabinet.Speaking to The Sun newspaper, the prime minister said Mr Hain was doing a "great job" and it would be a "great loss" if he had to leave the Cabinet.
'Poor administration'
But Mr Brown said the fate of the work and pensions secretary would be decided by officials investigating his actions.But Mr Brown said the fate of the work and pensions secretary would be decided by officials investigating his actions.
Mr Hain blamed "poor administration" for his failure to declare political donations totalling £103,000.Mr Hain blamed "poor administration" for his failure to declare political donations totalling £103,000.
He took his eye off the ball and he has apologised - the matter must rest with the authorities, who will look at these matters Gordon Brown
Mr Brown told the Sun that he expected Mr Hain to carry on in government.Mr Brown told the Sun that he expected Mr Hain to carry on in government.
But he said ultimately it was up to the Electoral Commission and the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards to decide.But he said ultimately it was up to the Electoral Commission and the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards to decide.
"He took his eye off the ball and he has apologised. The matter must rest with the authorities, who will look at these matters," Mr Brown said."He took his eye off the ball and he has apologised. The matter must rest with the authorities, who will look at these matters," Mr Brown said.
In a separate development, the Electoral Commission is expected to produce its initial report into the funding row by the end of the week.
This initial report will focus on the donors who gave money to Mr Hain and whether they were eligible to hand over the cash. A full report is expected later.
Tories tooTories too
Earlier, Conservative leader David Cameron accused Mr Brown of "dithering" on the issue and said Mr Hain would "have to go" if he could not explain himself.Earlier, Conservative leader David Cameron accused Mr Brown of "dithering" on the issue and said Mr Hain would "have to go" if he could not explain himself.
But the Tories have themselves comes under fire after it was reported that shadow chancellor George Osborne did not declare £487,000 of donations to the Register of Members' Interests.But the Tories have themselves comes under fire after it was reported that shadow chancellor George Osborne did not declare £487,000 of donations to the Register of Members' Interests.
Mr Cameron said that was a "completely different" matter, as the money had been declared to, and published by, the Electoral Commission.Mr Cameron said that was a "completely different" matter, as the money had been declared to, and published by, the Electoral Commission.
George Osborne is a close friend of Tory leader David CameronGeorge Osborne is a close friend of Tory leader David Cameron
Mr Osborne said that the party had got advice from Commons authorities which they thought suggested they did not need to declare it on the Register of Members' Interest.Mr Osborne said that the party had got advice from Commons authorities which they thought suggested they did not need to declare it on the Register of Members' Interest.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today he was now seeking a ruling from the Commons standards committee.He told BBC Radio 4's Today he was now seeking a ruling from the Commons standards committee.
Mr Hain, who is also Welsh secretary, failed to declare £103,000 which was donated to his unsuccessful campaign to become deputy Labour leader last year.Mr Hain, who is also Welsh secretary, failed to declare £103,000 which was donated to his unsuccessful campaign to become deputy Labour leader last year.
The problems with the campaign's funding emerged at the end of November, amid a separate row involving donations by proxy to the Labour Party over several years.The problems with the campaign's funding emerged at the end of November, amid a separate row involving donations by proxy to the Labour Party over several years.
Mr Hain has said it was "absurd" to suggest he attempted to hide anything, but he faces questions over the role of a think-tank, the Progressive Policies Forum, in channelling donations.Mr Hain has said it was "absurd" to suggest he attempted to hide anything, but he faces questions over the role of a think-tank, the Progressive Policies Forum, in channelling donations.
The think-tank employs no staff and has not published any research since it was set up in December 2006.The think-tank employs no staff and has not published any research since it was set up in December 2006.
Several senior Labour figures, including Foreign Office minister Lord Malloch-Brown, have given their support to Mr Hain, insisting he should not resign over "administrative shortcomings".Several senior Labour figures, including Foreign Office minister Lord Malloch-Brown, have given their support to Mr Hain, insisting he should not resign over "administrative shortcomings".
But Plaid Cymru have called for Mr Hain to step down.But Plaid Cymru have called for Mr Hain to step down.
On Sunday, Liberal Democrat MP Lembit Opik said politicians calling for Mr Hain to quit were "opportunists" and no party was blameless on party funding.On Sunday, Liberal Democrat MP Lembit Opik said politicians calling for Mr Hain to quit were "opportunists" and no party was blameless on party funding.