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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Alexander to continue as leader | Alexander to continue as leader |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Wendy Alexander intends to carry on as Scottish Labour leader, despite continued pressure for her to quit over donations to her leadership campaign. | |
| It follows suggestions in the press that her campaign team knew there were question marks over a donation from Jersey-based businessman Paul Green. | It follows suggestions in the press that her campaign team knew there were question marks over a donation from Jersey-based businessman Paul Green. |
| Ms Alexander rejected any suggestion of "intentional wrongdoing" and was "confident" of being exonerated. | Ms Alexander rejected any suggestion of "intentional wrongdoing" and was "confident" of being exonerated. |
| She said she still had a contribution to make to the lives of fellow Scots. | She said she still had a contribution to make to the lives of fellow Scots. |
| A £950 donation from Mr Green to Ms Alexander's leadership campaign broke rules outlawing donations from people based outside the UK. | A £950 donation from Mr Green to Ms Alexander's leadership campaign broke rules outlawing donations from people based outside the UK. |
| I offered myself to lead Labour in the Scottish Parliament in the autumn because I believed and continue to believe I have a contribution to make to improve the lives of my fellow Scots Wendy AlexanderScottish Labour leader | I offered myself to lead Labour in the Scottish Parliament in the autumn because I believed and continue to believe I have a contribution to make to improve the lives of my fellow Scots Wendy AlexanderScottish Labour leader |
| The Sunday Herald newspaper has now suggested that her campaign team was aware early last month that the donation may not be permissible. | |
| The Electoral Commission watchdog has already been in contact with Ms Alexander, looking for details of all the donations made to her campaign fund. | The Electoral Commission watchdog has already been in contact with Ms Alexander, looking for details of all the donations made to her campaign fund. |
| In a statement, Ms Alexander, the sister of International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander, said: "I deeply regret the damage which recent publicity has brought to the Labour party. | In a statement, Ms Alexander, the sister of International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander, said: "I deeply regret the damage which recent publicity has brought to the Labour party. |
| "However, I reject any suggestion of intentional wrongdoing on my part. I intend to address these matters with the Electoral Commission, with whom I am co-operating fully. | |
| "I am confident when all the facts are known I will be exonerated of any intentional wrongdoing." | "I am confident when all the facts are known I will be exonerated of any intentional wrongdoing." |
| Scottish Conservative deputy leader Murdo Fraser said Ms Alexander had no future and was now a "lame duck leader". | Scottish Conservative deputy leader Murdo Fraser said Ms Alexander had no future and was now a "lame duck leader". |
| 'Scottish contribution' | 'Scottish contribution' |
| "If she carries on as Labour leader for much longer, all we will get day by day is more revelations, leading up to a possible police inquiry following the Electoral Commission report," he told BBC Radio Scotland. | "If she carries on as Labour leader for much longer, all we will get day by day is more revelations, leading up to a possible police inquiry following the Electoral Commission report," he told BBC Radio Scotland. |
| "It is very difficult to see how, in the long term, Wendy Alexander can carry on as Labour leader and have credibility." | "It is very difficult to see how, in the long term, Wendy Alexander can carry on as Labour leader and have credibility." |
| Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael added: "This is a very big mess for Labour. | |
| "Labour wrote the rules on party donations themselves yet seem unable to stick to them." | |
| Nationalist MSP Alex Neil, said: "I think it's better to come from the Electoral Commission, but if necessary, I think police have to step in even without the Electoral Commission because the allegations now are very, very, serious." | |
| Meanwhile, SNP researcher Mark Hirst, acting in a personal capacity, has asked police to investigate the donation. | Meanwhile, SNP researcher Mark Hirst, acting in a personal capacity, has asked police to investigate the donation. |
| Strathclyde Police said: "We can confirm we have received an e-mail and the matter will be looked into." | Strathclyde Police said: "We can confirm we have received an e-mail and the matter will be looked into." |
| Ms Alexander, MSP for Paisley North, said there was "a great deal more" she wanted to say, but added that it would be inappropriate in light of the commission's ongoing inquiry. | Ms Alexander, MSP for Paisley North, said there was "a great deal more" she wanted to say, but added that it would be inappropriate in light of the commission's ongoing inquiry. |
| "I offered myself to lead Labour in the Scottish Parliament in the autumn because I believed and continue to believe I have a contribution to make to improve the lives of my fellow Scots," added Ms Alexander. | "I offered myself to lead Labour in the Scottish Parliament in the autumn because I believed and continue to believe I have a contribution to make to improve the lives of my fellow Scots," added Ms Alexander. |