Police may be called in over Hain donations row

UK News

By Rich Bowden, M&C Staff Writer Jan 15, 2008, 7:55 GMT

(M&C) - A supporter of embattled minister Peter Hain has conceded that a police inquiry is possible over the failure of the Work and Pensions Secretary to disclose political donations. British Secretary for Work and Pensions Peter Hain as he arrives at Downing Street, 10 May 2007, for the weekly Cabinet Meeting. EPA/Richard Lewis

British Secretary for Work and Pensions Peter Hain as he arrives at Downing Street, 10 May 2007, for the weekly Cabinet Meeting. EPA/Richard LewisUnder legislation introduced by the Labour government, criminal proceedings can be brought if irregularities in the disclosure of campaign funding is proven however the Electoral Commission has declined to comment on whether this will be the result of its inquiry into Mr Hain."We are not commenting on whether it is an option or not an option," said a Commission spokeswoman. "All we are saying is we are doing our initial compliance checks and will put the information we receive into our registers. Should there be any compliance issues, we will follow them up."The Work and Pensions Secretary has admitted administrative mistakes in his failure to disclose more than £103,000 in donations during his failed deputy leadership bid last year.However Labour MP and colleague Ian Lucas said Mr Hain would still be able to act as a minister even during a police inquiry saying it would be "entirely tenable".He added: "Peter Hain has said he has made mistakes, he has apologised and gone to the Electoral Commission and gone through all the disclosures that were made... It was perfectly in order for him to take the money. What was wrong, and he has admitted this, is that he ought to have disclosed it at the time."Prime Minister Gordon Brown has praised Mr Hain's contributions to government but given him no guarantees of a continued position in the Ministry saying it depended on the results of the Electoral Commission's inquiry.

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Police may be called in over Hain donations row

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