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29/03/2006
Police could widen 'loans-for-peerages' investigation
Scotland Yard is considering whether to widen an inquiry into the 'loans-for-peerage' claims to include claims of corruption.
The Metropolitan Police are already investigating allegations that laws banning the sale of peerages and other honours had been broken.
The allegations were made following revelations that several wealthy businessmen who had made secret loans to the Labour party had been nominated for peerages. The party's treasurer Jack Dromey said that he had not known about the loans.
The government has denied that there was any link between the nominations and the loans, as have the lenders who have spoken publicly about the loans.
The Metropolitan Police's deputy assistant commissioner John Yates, who is leading the investigation into the claims, said that he has not ruled out the possibility of widening the investigation to include corruption allegations.
Mr Yates has also asked the Commons Public Administration Committee to postpone their inquiry into the claims, in order to avoid prejudicing possible police action.
The committee had been due to question two businessmen - Priory healthcare chief executive Chai Patel and property developer Sir David Garrard - regarding loans they had made to the Labour party.
Both men had been nominated for peerages, but have since had the nominations blocked by the House of Lords.
The Labour party has published a list containing the names of 12 wealthy businessmen who provided the party with loans totalling almost £14 million before the last General Election.
The Conservatives are facing pressure to reveal the names of those lent them money for last year's election campaign. So far, the party has refused to name all its lenders.
(KMcA/SP)
The Metropolitan Police are already investigating allegations that laws banning the sale of peerages and other honours had been broken.
The allegations were made following revelations that several wealthy businessmen who had made secret loans to the Labour party had been nominated for peerages. The party's treasurer Jack Dromey said that he had not known about the loans.
The government has denied that there was any link between the nominations and the loans, as have the lenders who have spoken publicly about the loans.
The Metropolitan Police's deputy assistant commissioner John Yates, who is leading the investigation into the claims, said that he has not ruled out the possibility of widening the investigation to include corruption allegations.
Mr Yates has also asked the Commons Public Administration Committee to postpone their inquiry into the claims, in order to avoid prejudicing possible police action.
The committee had been due to question two businessmen - Priory healthcare chief executive Chai Patel and property developer Sir David Garrard - regarding loans they had made to the Labour party.
Both men had been nominated for peerages, but have since had the nominations blocked by the House of Lords.
The Labour party has published a list containing the names of 12 wealthy businessmen who provided the party with loans totalling almost £14 million before the last General Election.
The Conservatives are facing pressure to reveal the names of those lent them money for last year's election campaign. So far, the party has refused to name all its lenders.
(KMcA/SP)
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21 March 2006
Labour to change party funding system
Labour's National Executive Committee is to take responsibility for party funding, following the recent row over 'loans-for-peerages'. Following a meeting at 10 Downing Street, the NEC issued a statement saying that it would resume its "rightful responsibility" for overseeing all matters of party funding.
Labour to change party funding system
Labour's National Executive Committee is to take responsibility for party funding, following the recent row over 'loans-for-peerages'. Following a meeting at 10 Downing Street, the NEC issued a statement saying that it would resume its "rightful responsibility" for overseeing all matters of party funding.
23 June 2003
Disarray in UUP as three MPs resign party whip
The resignation of three of the Ulster Unionist Party's MPs from the parliamentary whip earlier today was quickly follows by calls for party leader David Trimble to change party policy or resign.
Disarray in UUP as three MPs resign party whip
The resignation of three of the Ulster Unionist Party's MPs from the parliamentary whip earlier today was quickly follows by calls for party leader David Trimble to change party policy or resign.
21 April 2006
Cash for peerages probe widened
Police investigating the 'cash for peerages' inquiry have widened the investigation to examine loans given to political parties as far as back as 2001.
Cash for peerages probe widened
Police investigating the 'cash for peerages' inquiry have widened the investigation to examine loans given to political parties as far as back as 2001.
19 January 2007
PM's Aide arrested in cash for honours probe
One of the Prime Minister's senior aides has been arrested by police as part of the probe into alleged cash for honours. Director of Government Relations Ruth Turner was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. Arrested at her London home, she was later released on bail without being charged.
PM's Aide arrested in cash for honours probe
One of the Prime Minister's senior aides has been arrested by police as part of the probe into alleged cash for honours. Director of Government Relations Ruth Turner was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. Arrested at her London home, she was later released on bail without being charged.
28 November 2006
Details of party loans published
The main political parties have outstanding loans totaling around £60 million, the Electoral Commission has revealed. According to the Commission, at the end of September the Conservatives owed more than £35 million, while Labour had debts of more than £23 million. The Liberal Democrats owed £1.1 million.
Details of party loans published
The main political parties have outstanding loans totaling around £60 million, the Electoral Commission has revealed. According to the Commission, at the end of September the Conservatives owed more than £35 million, while Labour had debts of more than £23 million. The Liberal Democrats owed £1.1 million.
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