This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2013/may/15/wife-businessman-makhzoumi-aitken-donates-tory

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Wife of businessman involved in Aitken scandal gives Tories £1m Wife of businessman involved in Aitken scandal gives Tories £1m
(4 months later)
The wife of a wealthy Middle Eastern businessman who was embroiled in a controversial arms deal has become one of the Conservative party's most generous donors.The wife of a wealthy Middle Eastern businessman who was embroiled in a controversial arms deal has become one of the Conservative party's most generous donors.
Electoral Commission records show that May Makhzoumi gave £500,000 to the Tories in the first three months of this year. Her billionaire husband, Fouad Makhzoumi, was involved in the scandal which brought down the disgraced Conservative politician Jonathan Aitken.Electoral Commission records show that May Makhzoumi gave £500,000 to the Tories in the first three months of this year. Her billionaire husband, Fouad Makhzoumi, was involved in the scandal which brought down the disgraced Conservative politician Jonathan Aitken.
The disclosure comes in official figures released on Wednesday. They show that donations to the Conservatives and Labour were running almost neck-and-neck from January to March.The disclosure comes in official figures released on Wednesday. They show that donations to the Conservatives and Labour were running almost neck-and-neck from January to March.
Mrs Makhzoumi, 60, lives in Kensington, central London, according to company records and since 2010 has given more than £1m to the party.Mrs Makhzoumi, 60, lives in Kensington, central London, according to company records and since 2010 has given more than £1m to the party.
Her Beirut-born husband recruited Aitken to the board of one of his companies in the 1980s. But Aitken failed to declare the directorship and, as the arms sales minister, promoted a military equipment deal for his friend in the 1990s. Aitken was jailed for perjury in 1999 after lying in a libel action against the Guardian.Her Beirut-born husband recruited Aitken to the board of one of his companies in the 1980s. But Aitken failed to declare the directorship and, as the arms sales minister, promoted a military equipment deal for his friend in the 1990s. Aitken was jailed for perjury in 1999 after lying in a libel action against the Guardian.
Labour's most generous individual donor over the same period is a businessman who last month signed up to a campaign to seek a new deal with the European Union.Labour's most generous individual donor over the same period is a businessman who last month signed up to a campaign to seek a new deal with the European Union.
John Mills, the head of a consumer products company which specialises in TV home shopping channels, has given £1.65m in shares from his company JML up to April this year. The party will receive monthly dividends.John Mills, the head of a consumer products company which specialises in TV home shopping channels, has given £1.65m in shares from his company JML up to April this year. The party will receive monthly dividends.
Mills was one of 500 British business leaders, including Ocado chairman Sir Stuart Rose and Next boss Lord Wolfson, who backed a campaign in April urging David Cameron to negotiate a new deal for the UK with Brussels.Mills was one of 500 British business leaders, including Ocado chairman Sir Stuart Rose and Next boss Lord Wolfson, who backed a campaign in April urging David Cameron to negotiate a new deal for the UK with Brussels.
The Business for Britain campaign backed the prime minister's approach to renegotiation and called for a cross-party "national drive to renegotiate the terms of Britain's membership of the EU".The Business for Britain campaign backed the prime minister's approach to renegotiation and called for a cross-party "national drive to renegotiate the terms of Britain's membership of the EU".
The Electoral Commission reported that over the first three months of this year the Tories declared donations of £3,663,024 while Labour received £3,681,486. In addition the Co-operative party, which supports Labour, received £412,973.The Electoral Commission reported that over the first three months of this year the Tories declared donations of £3,663,024 while Labour received £3,681,486. In addition the Co-operative party, which supports Labour, received £412,973.
More than half of Labour's £11.1m income came from small donations, individual members, commercial activities and fundraising, the figures show. Since January £3.16m came from membership fees and small donations and £3.3m from fundraising and commercial activities.More than half of Labour's £11.1m income came from small donations, individual members, commercial activities and fundraising, the figures show. Since January £3.16m came from membership fees and small donations and £3.3m from fundraising and commercial activities.
The proportion of income coming from union contributions was 23%, or £2.57m, including £766,963 from Unite and £314,388 from Usdaw, the shop workers' union. The rest of the party's money – 18% – came from government grants.The proportion of income coming from union contributions was 23%, or £2.57m, including £766,963 from Unite and £314,388 from Usdaw, the shop workers' union. The rest of the party's money – 18% – came from government grants.
Mascolo Ltd, the £350m company behind 600 Toni & Guy salons, has given £50,000 to Labour.Mascolo Ltd, the £350m company behind 600 Toni & Guy salons, has given £50,000 to Labour.
The Liberal Democrats reported donations of £842,710 while Ukip, although it spent £200,000 on a poster campaign in the local council elections, only received £74,150, according to official records.The Liberal Democrats reported donations of £842,710 while Ukip, although it spent £200,000 on a poster campaign in the local council elections, only received £74,150, according to official records.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.