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Cameron 'must stop accepting Ashcroft donations'
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor23.02.09
DAVID CAMERON faced demands today to suspend donations from Tory backer Lord Ashcroft as election watchdogs began an inquiry into the legality of his gifts to the party.
The Conservative leader came under pressure as the Electoral Commission formally started its investigation into up to £5 million of donations given by a company owned by Lord Ashcroft.
The inquiry into Bearwood Corporate Services will check claims that the firm does not "carry on its business in the UK", a key requirement for donations.
Bearwood, which was set up by the deputy party chairman, is by far the biggest corporate donor to the Tories. But Lord Ashcroft has extensive business interests in Belize, a former British colony in central America, and has refused to discuss his tax status in the UK.
Labour MP Denis MacShane called for the suspension of donations from Lord Ashcroft's company to the Tories while the inquiry was continuing.
He said: "David Cameron should stop accepting all donations to the Conservative Party from Bearwood Corporate Services while such a serious investigation is going on.
"Lord Ashcroft is not just the Conservative Party's biggest donor, but sits in Central Office running their election campaign.
'It's now time David Cameron stopped ducking the issue of Lord Ashcroft's relationship with the Tory party and sorted out the shadowy funding arrangements that have become systematic under his leadership."
Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox said yesterday that the party was "confident" that the donations were legal and permissible under electoral law.
Reader views (10)
Denis MacShane, isn't he the one who tried to convince us that Broooon's (O-ESI)"British Jobs for British Workers" really meant investing in training for British Workers? He's just a very silly person working for Mandelson. Not long till the election.
- Jamal Akhbar, Edinburgh
Tax dodgers Jammie dodgers. Sir Allen and Ashcroft are birds of a feather.
- Dhanraj, basildon
Thomas# Trade unionists are UK resident, and pay their taxes in the UK. Lord Laidlaw is non-resident and doesn't pay UK taxes, even though he promised to regulate his domicile when William Hague put him forward for a peerage. David Cameron has been telling us that 'as far as he knows' Lord Ashcroft is paying UK taxes, and the donations are from a comnpany trading in the UK. It looks as if Lord Ashcroft doesn't even discuss his tax status with David Cameron, never mind anything else. Who is calling the shots in the Tory party, Lord Ashcroft or David Cameron? It appears that when Lord Ashcroft says jump, DC says how high?
- Val Daniels, Mijas Costa, Spain
No story for Labour here.I came across Bearwood some 18 years ago as a Mergers & Acquisitions adviser so can vouch for the fact it is a bona fide business.
- Chris, London,England
Well when Golden Dave and his Shining new Tory Party take over I hope that all of you overseas guys will come flooding back to the New Tory Jerusalem. Or will we still get lots of posts from all round the world?
- N Nottley, Isleworth England
Good to see Labour's dirty tricks department is still using it's usual smear tactics. Why not look at the rich 'doners' that fund ZanuLabour?
- Mw, mendip uk
It seems that Lord Laidlaw was a tax exile for three years after giving his word he would become UK based and pay UK taxes if he was made a Peer. Lord Ashcroft gave the same promise but even now David Camoron is unwilling to state openly that Lord Ashcroft is UK domiciled and pays UK Taxes. Can't the Committee investigate these two Tory Benefactors and state the truth about these two, then Dave(Honest Guy) Camoron could then stop using weasel words. If they are not resident in the UK and don't pay Tax then they should revert to being commoners.
- A Mole, Isleworth England
Well said Thomas, London. Typical NuLab hypocrisy and double standards here, manipulationg the system to take the spotlight off their bent Lords and the Home Secretary.
- Andrew E, Leaving the sinking ship England
Downing Street and Mandelson manipulation all over this story.
On BBC news at 10.oo pm on Saturday night:-
News Item 1) Brown to be the first European leader to meet Obama to save the world.( ie Nu Labour good)
News Item 2) Tories to be investigated over accepting illegal donations ( ie Tories still sleazy ).
As far as I know the BBC has never run the Jacqui Smith second house expenses story ( wonder why? )
If the BBC cannot stop giving us the Nu Labour spin they should at least stop maintaining their political neutrality. The sooner we can choose whether or not to pay the compulsory licence fee/tax the better.
- Michael, London
While Labour takes donations from trade union members the Tories should be allowed to take money from Ashcroft.
- Thomas, London
