GORDON Brown has waded into the row over Shadow Chancellor George Osborne's discussions with a Russian billionaire over a donation to Tory Party funds - calling for the authorities to investigate.
Mr Brown told MPs he regarded it as a `very serious matter indeed'.
"I hope that it is investigated by the authorities," he said.
Tory officials said that Mr Brown needed to explain what allegations he wanted investigated, and by whom, since no allegations of any offence had been made.
The Electoral Commission, meanwhile, reaffirmed that it had not seen any evidence an offence had been committed under party-funding laws.
Pressure
Tatton MP Mr Osborne was under intense pressure after his account of discussions concerning a potential donation from Oleg Deripaska was contradicted by witnesses.
He has refuted claims by banker Nathaniel Rothschild that he had sought a £50,000 donation.
But Mr Rothschild, a Tory-supporting university friend of Mr Osborne, maintained the Conservatives had been interested in pursuing a donation. He insisted that the subject came up in conversation three times in one day.
To add to the pressure, former party chairman Lord Tebbit became the first senior Tory Party figure to publicly criticise Mr Osborne, saying he had behaved unwisely and adding: "One has to say that George Osborne should remember that those who sleep with dogs will get fleas."
Illegal
Mr Osborne has admitted meeting the Russian tycoon four times in a week, but denied seeking a donation.
It would have been illegal for Mr Deripaska, an aluminium magnate reputed to be Russia's richest man, to donate to a British party as he is not on the electoral register. But there was mention of Leyland DAF, a British-based firm owned by Mr Deripaska, which could have legally made a donation.
Tory leader David Cameron has backed Mr Osborne and challenged Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, who was also present at some of the gatherings in Corfu, to provide a similar account of his discussions.
The row was triggered when Mr Rothschild wrote a letter to The Times saying Mr Osborne and Tory fundraiser Andrew Feldman spent time on Mr Deripaska's yacht off Corfu, and claimed they tried to `solicit a donation' from him.
In their statement, Mr Osborne and Mr Feldman said: "At no point did Mr Osborne or Mr Feldman solicit or ask for a donation, suggest ways of channelling a donation or express any wish to meet with Mr Deripaska to discuss donations."
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Chris Green, Chorlton-cum-Hardy (22/10/2008 at 21:27)
The Electoral Commission has said that there is no evidence of wrong doing but why has the media been whipped up like this? Is Mandy honing his skills ready to use them on Brown on his next stumble? He’ll never been king but will he be kingmaker?
A more important story is why Gordon Brown is looking so pleased with himself. He always claimed the boom was his doing but shirks responsibility for the bust. Commentators are even saying he is having a “good recession”! As the MEN highlighted a couple of days ago, unemployment is rocketing all around Greater Manchester but he is just hoping to keep people occupied with Mandy’s spin and manipulation.
Rt Hon Dr Rev MC Spanner MP QC FCA FRICS JP OK (22/10/2008 at 21:34)
Doesn't stop the PM from abusing his position by trying to smear an opponent
"During prime minister's questions on Wednesday, Mr Brown said: "This is a very serious matter indeed and I hope it is investigated by the authorities."
Pressed later about which allegations Mr Brown had been referring to, Downing Street said those made "over the past 24 hours" but would give no more details.
A spokesman also refused to be drawn on which "authorities" would carry out an investigation, saying "whichever authorities are appropriate".
Labour MP Denis MacShane has written to Mr Osborne, warning that "it is likely there will be issues for the Electoral Commission or other authorities to investigate, but I will give you the opportunity to answer the following questions before deciding whether to refer the matter to them".
He asked a series of questions, including whether "you had a conversation with Mr Rothschild, witnessed by Mr James Goodwin, about a donation to the Conservative Party from Mr Deripaska".
However, the Electoral Commission said it would not launch an inquiry, as "soliciting a donation is not an offence". "
So the PM can't even say what needs to be investigated and who "the authorities" are. And a two bit backbencher is "demanding" answers from George Osborne. It's a shame that at Prime Ministers Question Time, GB refuses to answer any questions. He is still using the "you can't ask questions during a crisis" excuse.
gillykins, urmston (22/10/2008 at 21:48)
Jay B, oldham (23/10/2008 at 10:17)
he's part of the labour party?
Osbornes a tory?
something doesn't add up?
dave pickup (23/10/2008 at 13:48)
Labour's indiscretions recently far out weighs the tory sleaze of the 90's!
God alone,Brown must be desparate!
Mad Welsh Scotsman, Cadishead (23/10/2008 at 14:01)
This is labour trying to deflect some of the s**t from themselves
Pravda (23/10/2008 at 14:42)
Hamish Macbeth, Whitefield (23/10/2008 at 21:54)
What ever happened to Bernie Eccleston, £1M notes, Tony Blair and tobacco advertising on Formula 1 - or is that different?
What ever happened to the Hinduja brothers, Uk Passports and Peter Mandelson..or is that different!!
This must be the biggest ever case of pot and kettle ever!!!
S P In exile, Tameside (24/10/2008 at 03:01)
Yes I agree with Brown let us have an inquiry and while we are at it let us have an inquiry into the British Aerospace and the Saudis when the Labour government called off the three-year long investigation by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) into the alleged bribery of the Saudi ruling family by British Aerospace (BAe) in the multibillion-pound defence contract.
While were at it let us have an inquiry into the cash for honours scandal which Tony Blair was the architect.
While we are at it let us have an inquiry into Tony Blair and Bernie Eccelston.
While we are at it let us have an inquiry into why Britain was led into a war on a lie.
Brown or this government are not cleaner than clean, the pan and the kettle come to mind, this government has as much sleaze than the last Tory one.