This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7126073.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Party funding row 'a sorry tale' Party funding row 'a sorry tale'
(about 1 hour later)
The row over hidden donations to Labour is a "sorry tale of lawbreaking at the highest levels", the Tories have said.The row over hidden donations to Labour is a "sorry tale of lawbreaking at the highest levels", the Tories have said.
Shadow Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude called on the government to push for "long-term comprehensive reform".Shadow Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude called on the government to push for "long-term comprehensive reform".
The Tories called a Commons debate on the issue, after it emerged a property developer donated more than £650,000 to Labour under other people's names.The Tories called a Commons debate on the issue, after it emerged a property developer donated more than £650,000 to Labour under other people's names.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said he will move "quickly" to reform the funding of political parties. Justice Secretary Jack Straw told MPs that a White Paper on funding reform would be brought forward soon.
In the Commons, Mr Maude said that "the longer this saga goes on, the more unanswered questions arise". Mr Maude said that "the longer this saga goes on, the more unanswered questions arise".
'Unacceptable''Unacceptable'
He added: "This has been a sorry tale of lawbreaking at the highest levels by one of Britain's biggest parties."He added: "This has been a sorry tale of lawbreaking at the highest levels by one of Britain's biggest parties."
The Tories had been to debate the civil service but changed topics after what they call the "succession of scandals". The Tories had been due to use their Parliamentary time to debate the civil service but changed topics after what they call the "succession of scandals".
PM 'wants quick reforms'How are parties funded?
Property developer David Abrahams says he donated the money using the names of four associates, because he wanted to maintain his privacy and did not realise he was doing anything wrong.Property developer David Abrahams says he donated the money using the names of four associates, because he wanted to maintain his privacy and did not realise he was doing anything wrong.
Police are now investigating those donations, which Mr Brown has already described as "completely unacceptable" and has pledged to pay back.Police are now investigating those donations, which Mr Brown has already described as "completely unacceptable" and has pledged to pay back.
By law, anyone donating more than £5,000 must be identified and relevant details about them disclosed.By law, anyone donating more than £5,000 must be identified and relevant details about them disclosed.
The Conservative motion for the debate states: "This House notes with concern the corrosion of public trust in democracy following the recent succession of scandals over the funding of the governing political party." Mr Maude said it was "literally incredible" that Labour former general secretary Peter Watt, who quit over the donations, or chief fundraiser Jon Mendelsohn had not known the practice of proxy donations was illegal.
class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7125317.stm">PM 'wants quick reforms' class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7125095.stm">How are parties funded? He said the requirement to disclose the identity of donors was the "central feature" of the laws on party funding.
It goes on discuss previous failed talks over party funding reform - which collapsed over the issue of caps on funding. 'Criminal'
On Monday, the prime minister reiterated his desire to press ahead with party funding reform, saying he wanted to produce new laws "quickly" and adding: "I have told the trade unions we have to make changes to the political levy so that is transparent as well." Mr Maude added: "This is not some arcane technicality, some bylaw, some obscure rule.
Conservative leader David Cameron pulled out of previous talks saying the unions had to be included in any cap on donations. "The breach of this requirement is a criminal offence and anyone involved in political fundraising knows this."
Liberal Democrat frontbencher David Heath said only by capping donations and expenditure could a "fair, transparent, and sustainable outcome" be arrived at.
In other developments, Scottish Labour leader Wendy Alexander has been urged to consider her position, after her campaign team admitted accepting an illegal donation from a Jersey-based businessman.
'Regrettable'
And Welsh and Work and Pensions Secretary Peter Hain has said he has discovered further donations to his campaign for the party's deputy leadership were not properly declared.
He is due to make a full declaration to the Electoral Commission but said: "This is extremely regrettable and I apologise."
HAVE YOUR SAY However political parties are funded you will pay one way or the other Tom Bombadil, Oxfordshire Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY However political parties are funded you will pay one way or the other Tom Bombadil, Oxfordshire Send us your comments
Harriet Harman, who won the deputy leadership, has also been criticised for accepting a donation from Janet Kidd - one of Mr Abrahams' associates - when similar offers were rejected by Gordon Brown and her fellow deputy contender Hilary Benn. Lib Dem justice spokesman David Heath said: "Rich donors are nothing but trouble for the parties. That is demonstrably true.
She has said she did not know the money came from Mr Abrahams. "It demeans the political process that so much effort is made to woo people with large amounts of money."
A BBC poll suggests than half of adults think Gordon Brown has been tainted by sleaze. MPs from all sides made claim and counter claim about different sources of funding to their rivals during rowdy Commons exchanges.
According to an ICM poll for Newsnight, 57% thought Mr Brown was tainted, compared with 28% for Mr Cameron and 15% for acting Lib Dem leader Vince Cable. Labour MPs asked questions about Tory donor Lord Ashcroft's tax status, while the Lib Dems were asked if they would be repaying a £2.4m donations from Michael Brown - who was later jailed for perjury.
A random sample of 1,000 adults was interviewed by telephone between 30 November and 2 December. Justice Secretary Jack Straw told MPs a White Paper on funding reform was in preparation and would be published as soon as possible - to be followed by legislation soon after.
Interviews were conducted across the country and the results were weighted to the profile of all adults. He said the government hoped to achieve consensus for the future "but in any event we need legislation".
Conservative leader David Cameron pulled out of previous talks on party funding saying the trade unions had to be included in any cap on donations.