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Ed Miliband attacks David Cameron's judgement over Tory donations Ed Miliband attacks David Cameron's judgement over Tory donations
(40 minutes later)
Labour leader Ed Miliband has said the "cash for access" row poses question marks about David Cameron's judgement.Labour leader Ed Miliband has said the "cash for access" row poses question marks about David Cameron's judgement.
He said an internal Conservative inquiry into newspaper revelations that its former co-treasurer Peter Cruddas offered policy influence in return for donations was a "whitewash".He said an internal Conservative inquiry into newspaper revelations that its former co-treasurer Peter Cruddas offered policy influence in return for donations was a "whitewash".
The allegations were "grave" and should be examined by the PM's adviser on ministerial interests, he told MPs.The allegations were "grave" and should be examined by the PM's adviser on ministerial interests, he told MPs.
But the Tories say Labour failed to deal with party funding while in power.But the Tories say Labour failed to deal with party funding while in power.
The Conservatives have asked Lord Gold, a Tory peer and lawyer, to examine their procedures in light of Mr Cruddas's comments - which prompted his resignation. During stormy Commons exchanges, Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude said there had been plenty of funding scandals during Labour's years in power and they were "past masters" at "cash for policy".
The Conservatives have asked Lord Gold, a Tory peer and lawyer, to examine their procedures for party donations in light of Mr Cruddas's comments - which prompted his resignation.
'Grave accusations''Grave accusations'
But Mr Miliband said this was insufficient and there would be a "permanent stain" on the government's reputation if there was no independent probe.But Mr Miliband said this was insufficient and there would be a "permanent stain" on the government's reputation if there was no independent probe.
"The revelations this weekend concern the prime minister's office, his policy unit, and his judgement," he told MPs, replying to a government statement about the Cruddas row."The revelations this weekend concern the prime minister's office, his policy unit, and his judgement," he told MPs, replying to a government statement about the Cruddas row.
"This represents grave accusations about the way access is gained and policy is made.""This represents grave accusations about the way access is gained and policy is made."
He said the matter should be referred to Sir Alex Allan, the man responsible for policing compliance with the ministerial code.He said the matter should be referred to Sir Alex Allan, the man responsible for policing compliance with the ministerial code.
"This government promised transparency and promised to clean up politics, now they won't even agree to a proper inquiry... this scandal speaks to the conduct and character of the prime minister and government.""This government promised transparency and promised to clean up politics, now they won't even agree to a proper inquiry... this scandal speaks to the conduct and character of the prime minister and government."
Mr Cruddas was secretly filmed saying that a donation of £200,000 or £250,000 gave "premier league" access to party leaders, including private dinners with Mr Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne.Mr Cruddas was secretly filmed saying that a donation of £200,000 or £250,000 gave "premier league" access to party leaders, including private dinners with Mr Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne.
He also suggested that any such donor could have their feedback on political plans fed back to the party's policy committee.He also suggested that any such donor could have their feedback on political plans fed back to the party's policy committee.
He was speaking to the reporters posing as staff from a fake wealth fund based in Liechtenstein who were interested in doing business in the UK.He was speaking to the reporters posing as staff from a fake wealth fund based in Liechtenstein who were interested in doing business in the UK.
'Need for change''Need for change'
Mr Cameron has said the former treasurer's comments were "unacceptable" and "wrong" and but that he had not arranged for anybody to visit No 10 and there was no question of donors influencing policy. Mr Cameron has said the former treasurer's comments were "unacceptable" and "wrong" but that Mr Cruddas had not arranged for anybody to visit No 10 and there was no question of donors influencing policy.
In response to the row, Mr Cameron has published details of three dinners he held for "significant donors" in his private flat in Downing Street as well as a fourth post-election party in 2010. None of the meetings were paid for by the taxpayer, he said, and many of those who attended he had known for "many years".In response to the row, Mr Cameron has published details of three dinners he held for "significant donors" in his private flat in Downing Street as well as a fourth post-election party in 2010. None of the meetings were paid for by the taxpayer, he said, and many of those who attended he had known for "many years".
Mr Cameron said all meals between Conservatives and their donors will be published quarterly while there will be a register of all meetings between ministers and those giving money to the party. In future, Mr Cameron said all meals between Conservatives and their donors will be published quarterly while there will be a register of all meetings between ministers and those giving money to the party.
Mr Miliband said the prime minister had shown "utter contempt" for Parliament by choosing not to make a statement to Parliament on the issue - which was done by Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude. No 10 said it would also try to provide a list of donors who have had dinner with the prime minister at Chequers, the PM's official residence in Buckinghamshire, but said there has never been a dinner purely for donors there.
Mr Maude said Labour's record on donations and efforts to reform party funding while in power had been "shameful". Mr Miliband said the prime minister had shown "utter contempt" for Parliament by choosing not to make a Commons statement on the issue - saying this suggested "he's got something to hide".
He said the parties had come "agonisingly close" to an agreement on reforming party funding in the last Parliament but that Labour had "blocked" a deal for fear of harming their links with the trade unions. Speaking for the government, Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude said the "most of what he (Mr Cruddas) said was simply not true" and the government had been more open about ministerial meetings than any predecessor.
On reforms to party funding, he said the parties had come "agonisingly close" to an agreement in the last Parliament and accused Labour of standing in the way of a deal.
"For 13 years they had the chance to make government transparent, for 13 years they had the chance to reform party funding, for 13 years they did nothing and worse than nothing, they blocked reform," he said.
Mr Maude said cross-party talks needed to look at limiting the size of big donations, the role of affiliates such as trade unions and encouraging smaller donations.Mr Maude said cross-party talks needed to look at limiting the size of big donations, the role of affiliates such as trade unions and encouraging smaller donations.
"The need for change has become more not less pressing," he said.
'Mired in controversy''Mired in controversy'
The three main parties at Westminster are nominating representatives to take part in a new set of cross-party talks, with Mr Maude leading for the Conservatives alongside co-chairman Andrew Feldman.The three main parties at Westminster are nominating representatives to take part in a new set of cross-party talks, with Mr Maude leading for the Conservatives alongside co-chairman Andrew Feldman.
There have been a number of attempts to reach a consensus on changes since 2007, but on each occasion talks have broken down over plans for a cap on political donations.
The coalition agreement drawn up between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats after the 2010 election vowed to pursue an agreement to "remove big money from politics".The coalition agreement drawn up between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats after the 2010 election vowed to pursue an agreement to "remove big money from politics".
For the Lib Dems, deputy prime minister Mr Clegg said the row over Ms Cruddas' comments meant that even greater urgency was required.For the Lib Dems, deputy prime minister Mr Clegg said the row over Ms Cruddas' comments meant that even greater urgency was required.
Speaking in South Korea - where he is on a trade mission - he said all political parties had been caught up in controversies over political donations.Speaking in South Korea - where he is on a trade mission - he said all political parties had been caught up in controversies over political donations.
"The system doesn't work, it is often mired in controversy and we need to fix it and fix it fast," he said."The system doesn't work, it is often mired in controversy and we need to fix it and fix it fast," he said.
"And that's why I want to see cross party talks start instantly this week... politicians sitting round the table, working together, can fix this and fix it for good.""And that's why I want to see cross party talks start instantly this week... politicians sitting round the table, working together, can fix this and fix it for good."
In a report last year, the Committee on Standards in Public Life recommended a £10,000 cap on donations, more taxpayer funding of political parties, and trade union members being given the choice of whether or not to donate to Labour.In a report last year, the Committee on Standards in Public Life recommended a £10,000 cap on donations, more taxpayer funding of political parties, and trade union members being given the choice of whether or not to donate to Labour.