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Eighty Tories reported over gifts Eighty Tories reported over gifts
(about 1 hour later)
Eighty Tory MPs have been referred to the Electoral Commission by Labour for potentially failing to declare donations in the right way.Eighty Tory MPs have been referred to the Electoral Commission by Labour for potentially failing to declare donations in the right way.
Two Labour MPs John Mann and Kevan Jones have written to the watchdog with a list of donations they want probed.Two Labour MPs John Mann and Kevan Jones have written to the watchdog with a list of donations they want probed.
They believe the Tories may have failed to properly declare cash given to them by fund-raising "patrons clubs". They believe the Tories may have failed to properly declare cash given to them by fund-raising "patrons' clubs".
But the Conservatives said it was a "desperate stunt" to deflect attention from Labour's own funding problems.But the Conservatives said it was a "desperate stunt" to deflect attention from Labour's own funding problems.
Work and Pensions Secretary Peter Hain is being investigated by the Electoral Commission and the Parliamentary authorities over £103,000 in undeclared donations.Work and Pensions Secretary Peter Hain is being investigated by the Electoral Commission and the Parliamentary authorities over £103,000 in undeclared donations.
'Not registered''Not registered'
He is facing questions about the financing of his failed campaign to be Labour's deputy leader and the role of an unknown think tank, the Progressive Policies Forum, through which many of the donations were channelled.He is facing questions about the financing of his failed campaign to be Labour's deputy leader and the role of an unknown think tank, the Progressive Policies Forum, through which many of the donations were channelled.
This is a desperate and hypocritical stunt designed to deflect attention from Labour's current difficulties Conservative spokesman It is time that they opened up their books and showed a real commitment to transparency John Mann MP
Now Mr Mann and Mr Jones have submitted a formal complaint to the Electoral Commission about donations to 80 Conservative MPs made through fund-raising "patrons' clubs".Now Mr Mann and Mr Jones have submitted a formal complaint to the Electoral Commission about donations to 80 Conservative MPs made through fund-raising "patrons' clubs".
They include 13 members of the shadow cabinet, or their constituencies, including party leader David Cameron and shadow chancellor George Osborne.They include 13 members of the shadow cabinet, or their constituencies, including party leader David Cameron and shadow chancellor George Osborne.
Mr Cameron is listed for having donations of £690 in 2006 and £580 in 2005 from a patrons' club. Some £4,055 was spent from the "Principal Patron Account" of the West Oxfordshire (Witney) Conservative Association in 2006.
Mr Osborne's Tatton constituency received £17,827 from the patrons' club, up from £16,069 in 2005.
In a letter to the Commission, Mr Mann and Mr Jones said that none of the clubs concerned appeared to have been registered under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act.In a letter to the Commission, Mr Mann and Mr Jones said that none of the clubs concerned appeared to have been registered under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act.
'Transparency''Transparency'
They also complained that there was no evidence that donors to the clubs had been checked to ensure that they were permissible donors under the terms of the legislation.They also complained that there was no evidence that donors to the clubs had been checked to ensure that they were permissible donors under the terms of the legislation.
The Labour MPs claim the clubs could now be liable to forfeit the money they have raised.The Labour MPs claim the clubs could now be liable to forfeit the money they have raised.
Mr Mann said: "It is likely that thousands of pounds will need to be returned by local Conservative parties and/or MPs under section 58 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.Mr Mann said: "It is likely that thousands of pounds will need to be returned by local Conservative parties and/or MPs under section 58 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.
"It is time that they opened up their books and showed a real commitment to transparency.""It is time that they opened up their books and showed a real commitment to transparency."
Unincorporated associations, such as patrons' clubs, are often used as a vehicle for a group of people to donate money to a party or MP without their names being made public.Unincorporated associations, such as patrons' clubs, are often used as a vehicle for a group of people to donate money to a party or MP without their names being made public.
The Labour MPs argue that this makes it impossible to check if any of the donors are "impermissible", namely whether or not they were on the electoral register when they made their donation.The Labour MPs argue that this makes it impossible to check if any of the donors are "impermissible", namely whether or not they were on the electoral register when they made their donation.
'Desperate stunt''Desperate stunt'
Supporters are invited to join the patrons' clubs and other unincorporated associations for a monthly donation.Supporters are invited to join the patrons' clubs and other unincorporated associations for a monthly donation.
In return, they are given the chance to attend events hosted by top politicians.In return, they are given the chance to attend events hosted by top politicians.
Commenting on Labour's complaint, a Tory Party spokesman, said: "This is a desperate and hypocritical stunt designed to deflect attention from Labour's current difficulties. A Tory Party spokesman said the Labour complaint was "a desperate and hypocritical stunt designed to deflect attention from Labour's current difficulties".
"Donations to local Conservative Associations from unincorporated associations are all fully declared and comply with the law. He also suggested that Labour had received £2m since 2001 from unincorporated associations.
"Donations to local Conservative Associations from unincorporated associations are all fully declared and comply with the law," the Tory spokesman said.
"The Labour Party also uses unincorporated associations to raise funds.""The Labour Party also uses unincorporated associations to raise funds."