MP's Amendment To Remove Donor Secrecy

Political donations in Northern Ireland could be about to become more transparent, following the tabling of amendments to a bill in the Commons by Alliance east Belfast MP Naomi Long.

Naomi Long MP said "the time to lift the veil of secrecy on political donations to Northern Ireland political parties is now" after she tabled and co-signed amendments to the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions Bill).

Ms Long tabled the motion over the fact that Northern Ireland maintains a secretive political donation system, due to claims of security risks for donors.

Currently, donations over £7,500 from a single source to a political party are made public in the rest of the UK.

In Northern Ireland the information is given to the Electoral Commission and remains unpublished.

Ms Long's party, Alliance, voluntarily publishes a list of all donations from a single source over £7,500 on its website.

The next opportunity for the Secretary of State to review the situation is October 2014.

Ms Long's amendment would mean any donation made after 1 January 2014 would be subject to publication at whatever point the Secretary of State removes the block.

The second amendment would remove the Secretary of State's discretion to extend the exemption to publication beyond October 2014.

"In the past there may have been an argument in favour of protections for donors but we cannot promote Northern Ireland internationally as a safe and stable place for inward investment and tourism, and then continue to deviate from normal democratic scrutiny," said Mrs Long.

"I am not oblivious to the threats which still exist; however, I share the view of Sir Christopher Kelly, Chair of the Committee on Standards in Public, expressed in his evidence to the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee that such threats should not automatically outweigh the right of the public to scrutinise how parties are funded or the wider principles of openness, transparency and accountability.

"My amendment would make it clear for the public and for donors that we are moving to openness and transparency and are committed to doing so quickly. It gives the public confidence that any donations made from January onwards will be subject to publication in the future. It also provides clarity for potential donors who can then decide whether or not to donate in light of that fact. I also believe the exemption on publication should not be extended when reviewed in October 2014 and have supported a further amendment to give that effect."

(IT/CD)