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Hain donations 'an incompetence' Hain donations 'an incompetence'
(10 minutes later)
Work and Pensions Secretary Peter Hain was guilty of "an incompetence" over donations to his Labour deputy leader campaign, Gordon Brown has said.Work and Pensions Secretary Peter Hain was guilty of "an incompetence" over donations to his Labour deputy leader campaign, Gordon Brown has said.
The Electoral Commission is looking into the late declaration of £103,000 in donations to Mr Hain.The Electoral Commission is looking into the late declaration of £103,000 in donations to Mr Hain.
The PM said Mr Hain, who faces MPs for Wales questions on Wednesday, had made a mistake he had "readily admitted to".The PM said Mr Hain, who faces MPs for Wales questions on Wednesday, had made a mistake he had "readily admitted to".
But speaking to ITV's News at Ten, Mr Brown stressed there had been "no corruption" and no illegal donations.But speaking to ITV's News at Ten, Mr Brown stressed there had been "no corruption" and no illegal donations.
It was a mistake that was made. It was an incompetence that he has readily admitted to Gordon Brown Q&A: The row explained
One of the options open to the commission - the official elections watchdog - is to refer the matter to the police if it believes the law has been broken.One of the options open to the commission - the official elections watchdog - is to refer the matter to the police if it believes the law has been broken.
Mr Hain, who is also Welsh secretary, is also being investigated by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.Mr Hain, who is also Welsh secretary, is also being investigated by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.
Nothing illegal
Mr Brown expressed hope that Mr Hain would escape serious punishment.Mr Brown expressed hope that Mr Hain would escape serious punishment.
Nothing illegal
"It was a mistake that was made. It was an incompetence that he has readily admitted to," he said."It was a mistake that was made. It was an incompetence that he has readily admitted to," he said.
"This now goes before the standards committee in the House of Commons, and before the Electoral Commission."This now goes before the standards committee in the House of Commons, and before the Electoral Commission.
"And I believe they will understand that this was a failure, that there was no corruption involved, that there was no illegal donation made, and I hope that they will be able to accept his apology.""And I believe they will understand that this was a failure, that there was no corruption involved, that there was no illegal donation made, and I hope that they will be able to accept his apology."
The Electoral Commission is investigating Mr Hain's failure to inform it of the donations under party funding laws.The Electoral Commission is investigating Mr Hain's failure to inform it of the donations under party funding laws.
Parliamentary Standards Commissioner John Lyon has launched a separate inquiry into whether the Neath MP broke House of Commons rules by failing to declare the gifts in the register of members' interests.Parliamentary Standards Commissioner John Lyon has launched a separate inquiry into whether the Neath MP broke House of Commons rules by failing to declare the gifts in the register of members' interests.
Think tankThink tank
Mr Hain, who came fifth in the six-candidate Labour deputy contest, has insisted he has been "open and clear" about the issue and says he will co-operate with any inquiry.Mr Hain, who came fifth in the six-candidate Labour deputy contest, has insisted he has been "open and clear" about the issue and says he will co-operate with any inquiry.
The commission is expected to produce its initial findings by the end of the week, with a full report coming later.The commission is expected to produce its initial findings by the end of the week, with a full report coming later.
Mr Hain also faces questions over the role of a think-tank, the Progressive Policies Forum (PPF), in channelling donations.Mr Hain also faces questions over the role of a think-tank, the Progressive Policies Forum (PPF), in channelling donations.
The PPF employs no staff and has not published any research since it was set up in December 2006, three months after Mr Hain launched his campaign.The PPF employs no staff and has not published any research since it was set up in December 2006, three months after Mr Hain launched his campaign.
Mr Hain's constituency Labour Party in Neath is due to meet on Wednesday to discuss the affair.Mr Hain's constituency Labour Party in Neath is due to meet on Wednesday to discuss the affair.