Fresh row over Tory backer Ashcroft

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The disclosure fuelled rumours that the peer, who refuses to say whether he pays UK taxes, is being lined up for a top foreign policy job.

He provided free air travel for the shadow foreign secretary and attended meetings with Mr Hague on an important visit to Washington last month.

During the trip Mr Hague met US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, although Lord Ashcroft did not attend those talks.

Lord Ashcroft, a deputy party chairman who bankrolls favoured Tory candidates in marginal seats, is suspected of being domiciled for tax purposes in the central American tax haven of Belize, where he has extensive business interests.

Rival parties, which have repeatedly questioned his influence in British politics given the questions about his tax status, are seeking to increase pressure on the party.

Labour MP Gisela Stuart told The Observer: "The fact that the Tories' major donor and major influence behind the party's election campaign, who has such untransparent financial affairs, is now influencing Tory foreign policy is extremely worrying, particularly in the light of David Cameron's avowed commitment to openness."

Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman Lord Oakeshott asked: "Why is Lord Ashcroft at the heart of Hague's discussions in the US?

"The shadow foreign secretary taking a free trip on Ashcroft Airways is distasteful enough. But having Lord Ashcroft as a key player is worse. Refusing to say whether he pays full British taxes and his extreme anti-European views should disqualify him from any Government position."

A spokesman for Mr Hague said that the shadow foreign secretary had flown back from Washington with Lord Ashcroft and would be declaring the interest "in the normal way".