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New sleaze watchdog 'to be named' New sleaze watchdog 'to be named'
(31 minutes later)
Gordon Brown has said he is about to announce a new head of the anti-sleaze watchdog, after seven months of the post being vacant.Gordon Brown has said he is about to announce a new head of the anti-sleaze watchdog, after seven months of the post being vacant.
He told MPs the new chairman of the Committee for Standards in Public life would be named on Wednesday.He told MPs the new chairman of the Committee for Standards in Public life would be named on Wednesday.
But, during prime minister's questions, Tory leader David Cameron criticised Mr Brown for delaying "one of the most important appointments in politics".But, during prime minister's questions, Tory leader David Cameron criticised Mr Brown for delaying "one of the most important appointments in politics".
Former committee chairman Sir Alistair Graham's term ended earlier this year.Former committee chairman Sir Alistair Graham's term ended earlier this year.
'Too long'
Mr Brown made the announcement about Sir Alistair's successor during lively exchanges over the row about hidden donations to the Labour Party.
Mr Cameron told the prime minister: "You said in May that one of your first acts as prime minister would be to build the trust of the British people in our democracy.
"For the last seven months the Committee on Standards in Public Life has been without a new chairman.
"Why has it taken so long to make that appointment?"
To Labour laughter, Mr Brown replied: "The new chairman is being announced today.
"I would have thought in addition to the personalities of this, you'd be interested in the process.
"Do you support the changes we're recommending in electoral law and political party funding? Will you support a national and local limit on expenditure?"
'Ignorance'
Mr Brown criticised the Conservatives for leaving cross-party talks on political funding, adding: "What the right honourable gentleman has got to answer is, if he wants changes in the political system, why he spurned our proposals."
But Mr Cameron reiterated his party's position, which is that donations by trade unions to Labour must be included in any reforms.
He also said: "Sir Alastair Graham, the former chairman, said the last fortnight had demonstrated 'monumental incompetence and an ignorance of the law which beggars belief'."
The debate comes amid revelations that Labour was given £663,975 by David Abrahams via four associates.
Mr Brown has promised to return the money.
However, Electoral Commission sources now say it is likely to be forfeited by Mr Abrahams and paid into government reserves.
Under electoral law donations have to be given back to the donor within 30 days - after which the money is paid into the Treasury's Consolidated Fund.