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Hain donations 'an incompetence' Hain donations 'an incompetence'
(about 1 hour 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 told ITV's News at Ten Mr Hain, who faces MPs' Wales questions later, made a mistake he had "readily admitted to" but there had been "no corruption". The prime minister told ITV's News at Ten Mr Hain made a mistake he had "readily admitted to" but there had been "no corruption".
But Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said his political credibility was "in tatters".But Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said his political credibility was "in tatters".
Mr Hain, who is also Welsh Secretary, faced calls to quit his two Cabinet jobs, as he faced MPs' Welsh questions in the Commons.
He also came under fire over visits to businesses in Wales, who it later transpired had given funds to his deputy leadership campaign.
He said he had been "proud to visit" the firms as they were creating jobs in Wales.
It was a mistake that was made. It was an incompetence that he has readily admitted to Gordon Brown Q&A: The row explainedIt 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. But Shadow Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan called for the publication of correspondence relating to the visits to ensure Mr Hain was "competent and free of bias".
Mr Hain, who is also Welsh secretary, is also being investigated by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards. The prime minister's official spokesman earlier confirmed that contrary to previous reports Mr Hain had briefly apologised to colleagues at Cabinet on Tuesday, for what the spokesman referred to as the "kerfuffle" surrounding his donations.
Mr Brown expressed hope that Mr Hain would escape serious punishment. In his interview with ITN, Mr Brown said he hoped Mr Hain would escape serious punishment.
Nothing illegalNothing 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.
Whatever the Electoral Commission now decides, Peter Hain's political credibility lies in tatters Nick CleggLib Dem leaderWhatever the Electoral Commission now decides, Peter Hain's political credibility lies in tatters Nick CleggLib Dem leader
"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 was "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.
The Liberal Democrats' leader, Nick Clegg said: "When Gordon Brown said he wanted a government of all the talents, no-one realised that incompetence was going to be one of them.The Liberal Democrats' leader, Nick Clegg said: "When Gordon Brown said he wanted a government of all the talents, no-one realised that incompetence was going to be one of them.
"Whatever the Electoral Commission now decides, Peter Hain's political credibility lies in tatters.""Whatever the Electoral Commission now decides, Peter Hain's political credibility lies in tatters."
Conservative leader David Cameron has said Mr Hain still has questions to answer, adding: "He can get out there and explain himself or I think he will have to leave the cabinet."Conservative leader David Cameron has said Mr Hain still has questions to answer, adding: "He can get out there and explain himself or I think he will have to leave the cabinet."
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.