Brown under fire over donations

Last Modified: 28 Nov 2007
By: Cathy Newman

Gordon Brown has come under sustained fire from his political opponents over David Abrahams' secretive donations.

David Cameron wants to know why the police haven't been called in. Liberal Democrat leadership contender Chris Huhne has already written to the Metropolitan Police.

Gordon Brown has come under sustained fire from his political opponents over secretive donations to the Labour party from businessman David Abrahams.

Even Labour's treasurer has said that what happened was "absolutely wrong". In the latest twist, the party's chief fundraiser has been forced to defend himself after Mr Abrahams said he'd received a letter from him thanking him for his financial support.

Donations timeline

David Abrahams began making donations in 2003, when on 31 January he gave £25,000 pounds through Janet Dunn.

There were three donations under the General Secretary David Triesman and five donations under his replacement Matt Carter.

In November 2005 Peter Watt took over that job. He helped arrange the secret donations not knowing, he says, that they were illegal.

From 22 December 2005 to 10 July 2007, 11 separate donations were made by Mr Abrahams.

In June 2007 Hilary Benn was offered £5,000 by Janet Kidd for his deputy leadership bid. He was urged to reject the money by Baroness Jay - who learned the money was coming from David Abrahams after meeting Ms Kidd at a 1000 club fund-raising dinner.

On 22 June 2007 Cabinet Minister Hilary Benn registers a direct donation from Abrahams of £5,000.

When Tony Blair stepped down on the 27 June 2007, David Abrahams had a ring side seat in Sedgefield.

It emerged today that Peter Watt was sent an email this July from the Electoral commission stating: "Where a person acting as an agent in making a donation, they must ensure that the party is given all relevant information".

On 4 July 2007. Harriet Harman registered a donation of £5,000 from Janet Kidd and wrote to thank her two days later.

Gordon Brown appoints Jon Mendelsohn as his fundraiser on 3 Sept 2007 - he says Peter Watt informed him about the donation arrangement with David Abrahams.

Then on Monday Peter Watt admits he knew of the donations and resigns as general secretary - saying only he knew the details of them.