No prison help for Lib Dem donor

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/6319793.stm

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Senior Lib Dems have refused an appeal for help by a major donor currently jailed for perjury, the party's chief executive Lord Rennard has confirmed.

The Times says Michael Brown complained at being moved to a high security wing and taken off the prison job rota.

He wrote to current leader Sir Menzies Campbell and ex-leader Charles Kennedy as well as to Lord Rennard asking them to help improve his conditions.

Brown gave the Lib Dems £2.4m in 2005, but was sent to prison last year.

He was jailed after he admitted committing perjury and making a false declaration to obtain a passport.

Convention cited

According to The Times, Brown's letter is thought to have asked for either of the three party figures to intervene after his privileges were revoked.

I am pleading with you to help me as I believe I am being treated unfairly in prison Michael Brown

"You may previously recall that I made a substantial donation to the Liberal Democrats," an extract of his letter published in The Times read.

"Unlike donors to other political parties, I have never sought any reward, honour or return for my financial support," he wrote.

"However, I am pleading with you to help me as I believe I am being treated unfairly in prison."

A Liberal Democrat spokesman told the BBC that chief executive Lord Rennard had replied to the letter on behalf of all three recipients.

"There is a convention among MPs that they don't take up individual cases on behalf of constituents other than their own. Therefore neither Charles Kennedy nor Menzies Campbell is able to act on your behalf," the reply said.

"From the contents of your letter it seems to me that the issues that are causing you concern are essentially matters for legal representatives who are entitled to make submissions on your behalf.

"May I suggest that you instruct them to do so as soon as possible."