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Alexander reported over donations Alexander reported over donations
(10 minutes later)
Scotland's parliamentary watchdog has reported the Scottish Labour leader to prosecutors for failing to publicly declare campaign donations.Scotland's parliamentary watchdog has reported the Scottish Labour leader to prosecutors for failing to publicly declare campaign donations.
Dr Jim Dyer referred Wendy Alexander to the procurator fiscal for not recording gifts to her leadership campaign in the MSPs' register of interests.Dr Jim Dyer referred Wendy Alexander to the procurator fiscal for not recording gifts to her leadership campaign in the MSPs' register of interests.
The fiscal will decide whether the case merits a police investigation.The fiscal will decide whether the case merits a police investigation.
Labour MSP Andy Kerr has also been reported for late registration of hospitality from McDonald's.Labour MSP Andy Kerr has also been reported for late registration of hospitality from McDonald's.
Ms Alexander, who said parliament officials wrongly told her it was unnecessary to declare donations, has since updated her register with details of 10 donors who each gave about £1,000 to her leadership campaign.Ms Alexander, who said parliament officials wrongly told her it was unnecessary to declare donations, has since updated her register with details of 10 donors who each gave about £1,000 to her leadership campaign.
This simply boils down to and error on my part, which I regret Andy KerrLabour MSP The Labour Party and Scottish politics would be ill-served by my resignation Wendy AlexanderScottish Labour leader
Her MP brother Douglas Alexander, the UK international development secretary, said she had done "exactly what was asked of her". She said she took the action after Dr Dyer took advice from a senior QC and decided the donations should be treated as gifts.
He explained: "Wendy actually contacted the standards clerk within the parliament, sought the guidance of the clerk, the clerk said these were not declarable. Ms Alexander said she had followed the guidance at every stage and acted promptly upon it, insisting: "I am clear that suggestions that I have been guilty of trying to subvert the law in the registration of donations are completely unfounded.
"The standards commissioner has now changed his mind and freely acknowledges he has changed his mind and as a consequence of that has said it's necessary for these donations to be reported. "I am also very clear that the Labour Party and Scottish politics would be ill-served by my resignation.
"As soon as the ruling was changed, she disclosed the donors and reported them to the parliament." "Despite the smears and accusations from my political opponents, I will not stand down for having followed the parliamentary authorities' guidance."
Mr Kerr submitted his declaration several days lateMr Kerr submitted his declaration several days late
Mr Kerr said he had made a mistake when a declaration he submitted on 7 September, for an event held on the weekend of 3 and 4 August was four days late.Mr Kerr said he had made a mistake when a declaration he submitted on 7 September, for an event held on the weekend of 3 and 4 August was four days late.
The former Scottish health minister received hospitality worth £570 and match tickets worth £450 which he said were auctioned, with the proceeds going to the Kilbryde Hospice Campaign charity.The former Scottish health minister received hospitality worth £570 and match tickets worth £450 which he said were auctioned, with the proceeds going to the Kilbryde Hospice Campaign charity.
Mr Kerr said there was no attempt to disguise his attendance, but the East Kilbride MSP added: "All of that being said, it would be clear to anyone that given the public knowledge of my attendance that this simply boils down to and error on my part, which I regret."Mr Kerr said there was no attempt to disguise his attendance, but the East Kilbride MSP added: "All of that being said, it would be clear to anyone that given the public knowledge of my attendance that this simply boils down to and error on my part, which I regret."
Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission is continuing to separately investigate an illegal donation to Ms Alexander's leadership campaign.Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission is continuing to separately investigate an illegal donation to Ms Alexander's leadership campaign.
The £950 donation from Jersey-based businessman Paul Green broke electoral law because he is not a UK voter, but the Scottish Labour leader said she remained confident of being cleared of any "intentional" wrongdoing.The £950 donation from Jersey-based businessman Paul Green broke electoral law because he is not a UK voter, but the Scottish Labour leader said she remained confident of being cleared of any "intentional" wrongdoing.
Wendy Alexander will be interviewed on BBC Scotland's Politics Show at 1230 GMT.Wendy Alexander will be interviewed on BBC Scotland's Politics Show at 1230 GMT.