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Brown to answer 'crisis' claims Brown faces donations questions
(9 minutes later)
The Conservatives say Labour is "in crisis" after its general secretary resigned in a new row on party funding. Gordon Brown is facing questions about the party funding row which has prompted Labour's general secretary to quit and an Electoral Commission probe.
Peter Watt stood down after it emerged that property developer David Abrahams donated nearly £600,000 to the party, over four years, via three associates.Peter Watt stood down after it emerged that property developer David Abrahams donated nearly £600,000 to the party, over four years, via three associates.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown faces tough questions later at a press conference. At his monthly press briefing Mr Brown is also set to be grilled about the loss of 25m people's personal details.
Tory leader David Cameron accused the government of demonstrating "an indifference for the law" over issues like the donations and lost data discs. The Tories say Labour is "in crisis" and "simply don't obey the law".
'Complacency' The Electoral Commission is investigating whether the donations breached the Political Parties and Referendums Act 2000 and has confirmed it has been "in touch" with the Crown Prosecution Service.
'Defies credibility'
Mr Abrahams donated the money through colleagues Janet Kidd and Ray Ruddick, and solicitor John McCarthy.
After that emerged, following a Mail on Sunday report, Mr Watt resigned, telling Labour's National Executive Committee he knew about the arrangement, but had believed he had complied with reporting obligations.
I have to accept we made a terrible error in this situation Dianne HayterLabour's NEC Another crisis for Brown Key figures react
The Tories say this explanation "defies credibility". Tory leader David Cameron accused the government of demonstrating "an indifference for the law" over issues like the donations and lost data discs.
He told business leaders at the CBI conference: "They say you've got to have this bit of security, that bit of compliance, and whether it's their own government departments or their own party machines, they simply don't obey the law.He told business leaders at the CBI conference: "They say you've got to have this bit of security, that bit of compliance, and whether it's their own government departments or their own party machines, they simply don't obey the law.
"There is a time in the life of every government when it slips over from complacency into arrogance, and from arrogance into even indifference for the law. I say we've reached that point and it is time for real change in our country.""There is a time in the life of every government when it slips over from complacency into arrogance, and from arrogance into even indifference for the law. I say we've reached that point and it is time for real change in our country."
I have to accept we made a terrible error in this situation Dianne HayterLabour's NEC Another crisis for Brown Key figures react
Shadow chancellor George Osborne said Labour was "now officially in crisis".Shadow chancellor George Osborne said Labour was "now officially in crisis".
Northern Rock
It comes amid a torrid week for the prime minister which has seen loss of millions of child benefit records, the ongoing Northern Rock crisis and attacks from former army chiefs.It comes amid a torrid week for the prime minister which has seen loss of millions of child benefit records, the ongoing Northern Rock crisis and attacks from former army chiefs.
Mr Watt resigned after telling a meeting of officers of Labour's National Executive Committee he had known about the arrangement with Mr Abrahams, but said he had believed he had complied with reporting obligations.
Electoral Commission
But Francis Maude, who represented the Conservatives in negotiations about party funding told BBC Radio 4's Today programme it "defied credibility" that Mr Watt did not know "this most basic of compliance rules".
Under the law, those making donations on behalf of others must give details of who is providing the money.Under the law, those making donations on behalf of others must give details of who is providing the money.
Mr Abrahams gave the money through colleagues Janet Kidd and Ray Ruddick, and solicitor John McCarthy.
DONORS Ray Ruddick - £196,850Janet Kidd - £185,000 since 2003John McCarthy - £202,125 since 2004Source: Electoral Commission Your reaction to donor rowDONORS Ray Ruddick - £196,850Janet Kidd - £185,000 since 2003John McCarthy - £202,125 since 2004Source: Electoral Commission Your reaction to donor row
It has also emerged that Hilary Benn initially turned down a £5,000 donation for his deputy leadership campaign from Mr Abrahams, because it was made in Janet Kidd's name.It has also emerged that Hilary Benn initially turned down a £5,000 donation for his deputy leadership campaign from Mr Abrahams, because it was made in Janet Kidd's name.
He later accepted it when Mr Abrahams wrote him a cheque in his own name and reported it as required. Labour is investigating the donations and the Electoral Commission has also asked the party to explain.He later accepted it when Mr Abrahams wrote him a cheque in his own name and reported it as required. Labour is investigating the donations and the Electoral Commission has also asked the party to explain.
Dianne Hayter, from Labour's National Executive Committee, told the BBC they thought they had "thorough and complete" systems in place to check donations were legitimate - but Mr Watt had not told the NEC that the donations had come from Mr Abrahams.Dianne Hayter, from Labour's National Executive Committee, told the BBC they thought they had "thorough and complete" systems in place to check donations were legitimate - but Mr Watt had not told the NEC that the donations had come from Mr Abrahams.
'Deep shock''Deep shock'
Asked about her reaction when she heard the news, she said: "First of all, disbelief and then when I was absolutely convinced this was the case - deep shock. I was amazed."Asked about her reaction when she heard the news, she said: "First of all, disbelief and then when I was absolutely convinced this was the case - deep shock. I was amazed."
She said the donations had been made over a number of years, in smaller amounts and the individuals who sent them in had been "checked out".She said the donations had been made over a number of years, in smaller amounts and the individuals who sent them in had been "checked out".
Mr Watt said he had resigned "with great sadness"Mr Watt said he had resigned "with great sadness"
She said she had to accept a "terrible error" had been made but said it was not "institutionalised corruption" and she was confident it was a "one off".She said she had to accept a "terrible error" had been made but said it was not "institutionalised corruption" and she was confident it was a "one off".
According to the Electoral Commission, Mr Ruddick has donated £196,850; Mrs Kidd has donated £185,000 since 2003; and Mr McCarthy £202,125 since 2004.According to the Electoral Commission, Mr Ruddick has donated £196,850; Mrs Kidd has donated £185,000 since 2003; and Mr McCarthy £202,125 since 2004.
Newspapers report that Mr Ruddick and Mrs Kidd are listed as directors of a property company, Durham Green Developments, which won planning permission for a multi-million pound business park - and Durham City Council had confirmed Mr Abrahams was involved in negotiations.Newspapers report that Mr Ruddick and Mrs Kidd are listed as directors of a property company, Durham Green Developments, which won planning permission for a multi-million pound business park - and Durham City Council had confirmed Mr Abrahams was involved in negotiations.
Acting Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable said that "an enormous can of worms had been opened up" regarding party funding reform and that the government should have brought in new regulations.Acting Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable said that "an enormous can of worms had been opened up" regarding party funding reform and that the government should have brought in new regulations.
"It's a whole sleazy area; it needs cleaning up because of lack of public confidence, " he said."It's a whole sleazy area; it needs cleaning up because of lack of public confidence, " he said.
A ComRes survey suggests that Labour has suffered a six-point slump to 27% in a month, giving the Tories a large lead despite falling one point themselves to 40%.A ComRes survey suggests that Labour has suffered a six-point slump to 27% in a month, giving the Tories a large lead despite falling one point themselves to 40%.
It surveyed 1,002 adults by telephone on 23 to 25 November and the results were weighted.It surveyed 1,002 adults by telephone on 23 to 25 November and the results were weighted.