The donors Who gave to Wendy’s campaign ... and the members
of the team who brought in the cash FOUR MEMBERS of Wendy Alexander's campaign team acted as personal "contacts" for pulling in donations £5 under the registrable limit, according to her official list of financial backers. Campaign boss Tom McCabe, treasurer David Whitton, Labour chief whip Jackie Baillie and shadow justice minister Pauline McNeill all helped bring in a raft of donations for £995.
Most of the cheques were from business people rather than the party's traditional trade union paymasters.
The Sunday Herald can reveal that the secret list, which Alexander and her team have consistently refused to publish, includes 10 individual contributions for £995 out of a £16,600 war chest.
Electoral Commission rules state that "regulated donees" must declare any donations over £1000, but the Alexander campaign avoided this by getting cheques for £5 less than the threshold.
According to the list, a "Tom" was the contact for a £995 contribution from David Pitt-Watson at private equity firm Hermes Focus Asset Management. The businessman also contributed to Gordon Brown's election campaign for the post of Labour leader.
"Tom", according to the list, was also the contact for "995s" from a number of businessmen, ex-solicitor general Neil Davidson, and long-time Labour donor Willie Haughey.
The list states a "David" was the contact for First Group chief Moir Lockhead, a name that was changed to ex-Labour MP John Lyon in the category marked "Name/address for Elect Comm purpose". However, Lockhead declined to donate to the campign.
In addition, a "Pauline" was pencilled in as the contact for two donations, one from businessman Brian Dempsey, the other from namesake Martin. However, it is unclear if these contributions were ever received. A "Jackie" was stated as being the campaign member involved in taking £995 from union boss Harry Donaldson.
The other donations, except for tax exile Paul Green's £950, were all for £500 or less. Seven Labour peers - Lords Robertson, Maxton, Boyd, Elder, Sewel, Moonie and Baroness Adams - gave £2500 between them.
A so-called Lanarkshire lunch, attended by five business people plus Haughey's entourage, gave £1995 in total.
"Jackie" also acted as the contact for a £500 donation from a private nursing agency boss, according to the list. Another businessman was listed as a donor. His £995 was organised by a "Jim", whose identity remains a mystery.
A "Wendy", presumably Alexander herself, is stated as being the contact for a £400 donation from long-term Labour supporter Mary Goudie.
Charlie Gordon, who last week quit his frontbench post after admitting liability for the Green scandal, is noted as paying £300 for a peers' dinner.
Alexander's campaign team had refused to publish its list of donations on grounds that none had to be registered.
The fundraising tactics show the extent to which members of Alexander's campaign were involved in receiving so-called "under-the-radar" contributions. It's unclear what the money was spent on.
McNeill and Baillie could not be reached for comment. McCabe said he would not comment on other donations made to the campaign.
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Posted by: doonhamer on 1:08am Sun 2 Dec 07
A series of articles now published in the Sunday Herald connects Alexander to a direct cover up of the donation and its source.
These articles are a DEATH BLOW to the conspirators. It implicates Alexander through her husband's computer. It proves that McCabe and Whitton knowingly lied when confronted by the media. It proves that Gordon and others fabricated information to be passed on to the Electoral Commission. It proves that Alexander made a false statement in Parliament.
In short, nothing less than the resignations of Alexander, McCabe, Gordon and Whitton from Holyrood will suffice. It is time to call in the police.
A series of articles now published in the Sunday Herald connects Alexander to a direct cover up of the donation and its source.
These articles are a DEATH BLOW to the conspirators. It implicates Alexander through her husband's computer. It proves that McCabe and Whitton knowingly lied when confronted by the media. It proves that Gordon and others fabricated information to be passed on to the Electoral Commission. It proves that Alexander made a false statement in Parliament.
In short, nothing less than the resignations of Alexander, McCabe, Gordon and Whitton from Holyrood will suffice. It is time to call in the police.
Posted by: John on 2:13am Sun 2 Dec 07
Here we have a potential leader of a future Scottish government conspiring, if not to break the law then certainly to undermine it. And all for what? What potential harm did Ms Alexander and her henchmen see in accepting another fiver from each of these supporters?
I don't know what's worse: the sleazy, sleekit way they set out to twist the rules; or the paranoia about the Scottish electorate finding out where Wendy's dodgy money was coming from.
Here we have a potential leader of a future Scottish government conspiring, if not to break the law then certainly to undermine it. And all for what? What potential harm did Ms Alexander and her henchmen see in accepting another fiver from each of these supporters?
I don't know what's worse: the sleazy, sleekit way they set out to twist the rules; or the paranoia about the Scottish electorate finding out where Wendy's dodgy money was coming from.
Posted by: donald, glasgow on 6:23am Sun 2 Dec 07
Brian Dempsey of Celtic's Unionist Labour Board named.
Brian Dempsey of Celtic's Unionist Labour Board named.
Posted by: Darren Hyde, Crosshill, Glasgow on 7:32am Sun 2 Dec 07
If I was an 'investigative journalist' I would be the happiest person in the world after this week. What a gold mine you'd be sitting on:
1. Gordon/Green - what exactly was their business relationship whilst Gordon was leader of Glasgow City Council? How come Green won so many business projects for retail parks around Glasgow? Was his 'gift' of one million pounds to Glasgow purely benevolence? (I've noted the Scotsman sniffing at this with their story of Gordon nominating Green for an honour award - a true investigative journalist would take this to it's final conclusion).
2. Whitton/Lockhead. Lockhead spokesperson, ex-labour man Lyons, immediately denied any involvement (if I was him, so would I), but why did Lockhead's name appear on this word doc of Wendy's donors? Is there a link between the labour party and the success of the first group?
I'm not saying there definitely is, but as an investigative journalist I'd want to work on knowing this relationship and whether or not first group 'bought' their current status.
There are many other questions & answers an investigative journalist would/should uncover. I'm only suggesting a few. I only hope that over the coming weeks we all start to see answers to the much bigger questions that are tentatively being probed at here.
If I was an 'investigative journalist' I would be the happiest person in the world after this week. What a gold mine you'd be sitting on:
1. Gordon/Green - what exactly was their business relationship whilst Gordon was leader of Glasgow City Council? How come Green won so many business projects for retail parks around Glasgow? Was his 'gift' of one million pounds to Glasgow purely benevolence? (I've noted the Scotsman sniffing at this with their story of Gordon nominating Green for an honour award - a true investigative journalist would take this to it's final conclusion).
2. Whitton/Lockhead. Lockhead spokesperson, ex-labour man Lyons, immediately denied any involvement (if I was him, so would I), but why did Lockhead's name appear on this word doc of Wendy's donors? Is there a link between the labour party and the success of the first group?
I'm not saying there definitely is, but as an investigative journalist I'd want to work on knowing this relationship and whether or not first group 'bought' their current status.
There are many other questions & answers an investigative journalist would/should uncover. I'm only suggesting a few. I only hope that over the coming weeks we all start to see answers to the much bigger questions that are tentatively being probed at here.
Posted by: DafBill, Oot te Lunch on 8:33am Sun 2 Dec 07
Public funding of Political Parties is not something many would have the stomach for but when you look at this debacle you begin to wonder. How can any sane person be bothered with the pathetic scrounging politicians are reduced to in order to advance themselves. What exactly does it say about the sort of person who is prepared to do it just to be in the public eye.
The other disturbing aspect, how are politicians meant to concentrate on what they are supposed to be doing, representing their constituents, when they spend their time and energy on grubby little arrangements for the surreptitious procurement of cash.
Perhaps public funding would allow a gentler more civilised sort of person to make a name in politics. Unfortunately not, politicians and their pals are already comfortably remunerated, public funding would only relieve the pressure on the rats giving them more time and freedom to scheme and devise new depths of deceit.
Given the utterly bizarre and Orwellean pronouncements which have been coming out of Westminster since McBroon slid into the breach allowed him by Tony along with his cohort of "numpties in denial" we should be eternally grateful for Wendy and her team's utter stupidity. Even if McBroon can continue to rely on Sir Ian Blair's support and survive his current difficulty sufficient damage will have been done to ensure that the New Labour socialist pretenders do not survive north of the border.
Public funding of Political Parties is not something many would have the stomach for but when you look at this debacle you begin to wonder. How can any sane person be bothered with the pathetic scrounging politicians are reduced to in order to advance themselves. What exactly does it say about the sort of person who is prepared to do it just to be in the public eye.
The other disturbing aspect, how are politicians meant to concentrate on what they are supposed to be doing, representing their constituents, when they spend their time and energy on grubby little arrangements for the surreptitious procurement of cash.
Perhaps public funding would allow a gentler more civilised sort of person to make a name in politics. Unfortunately not, politicians and their pals are already comfortably remunerated, public funding would only relieve the pressure on the rats giving them more time and freedom to scheme and devise new depths of deceit.
Given the utterly bizarre and Orwellean pronouncements which have been coming out of Westminster since McBroon slid into the breach allowed him by Tony along with his cohort of "numpties in denial" we should be eternally grateful for Wendy and her team's utter stupidity. Even if McBroon can continue to rely on Sir Ian Blair's support and survive his current difficulty sufficient damage will have been done to ensure that the New Labour socialist pretenders do not survive north of the border.
Posted by: Rony on 8:56am Sun 2 Dec 07
Wee [bold]sleekit sleekit[/bold] beasties
Wee
sleekit sleekit beasties
Posted by: Anne Onymous on 2:42pm Sun 2 Dec 07
Oh people like a wee conspiracy theory now and then don't they? Real life soap opera. Get out more is my advice.
Oh people like a wee conspiracy theory now and then don't they? Real life soap opera. Get out more is my advice.
Posted by: wisnae me, Clydebank on 3:06pm Sun 2 Dec 07
Jackie Baillie got a donation from a private nursing agency boss .That would be MILLIONAIRE Ann Rushforth of ScotNursing who stood as a New Labour candidate for West Dunbartonshire Council in May 2007 and got gubbed at Balloch ward. She could have given all of the campaign money to wendy as loose change so why all the 995'ers
Jackie Baillie got a donation from a private nursing agency boss .That would be MILLIONAIRE Ann Rushforth of ScotNursing who stood as a New Labour candidate for West Dunbartonshire Council in May 2007 and got gubbed at Balloch ward. She could have given all of the campaign money to wendy as loose change so why all the 995'ers
Posted by: dws on 5:10pm Sun 2 Dec 07
As reported on another thread, Lothian and Borders Police are now involved.
As reported on another thread, Lothian and Borders Police are now involved.
Posted by: Will on 7:45pm Sun 9 Dec 07
[italic][bold]Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling have sparked a furious cabinet row by blocking a £725m rescue package for 125,000 workers who lost pension rights when their employers went bust or wound up their schemes.
The Observer understands that Peter Hain, the Work and Pensions Secretary, is angry at the refusal of Darling and Brown to come to the rescue of the 125,000 workers, whose lengthy wait is being contrasted with the rapid help handed out to investors in Northern Rock. Hain has spoken privately of how the government has handled the matter 'absolutely appallingly'.[/bold][/italic]
Yes, seems that Gordon and Alsidair have plenty of taxpayers money to help out their friends in the City but none to give to the 125,000 pensioners who have lost their pensions under Big Gordon's watch.
Shocking, but that's what happens when the big business donors have a corrupt government in their pocket.
Tough luck suckers, pay your taxes and shut up and enjoy your retirement.
Gordon and Alisdair certainly will.
Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling have sparked a furious cabinet row by blocking a £725m rescue package for 125,000 workers who lost pension rights when their employers went bust or wound up their schemes.
The Observer understands that Peter Hain, the Work and Pensions Secretary, is angry at the refusal of Darling and Brown to come to the rescue of the 125,000 workers, whose lengthy wait is being contrasted with the rapid help handed out to investors in Northern Rock. Hain has spoken privately of how the government has handled the matter 'absolutely appallingly'.
Yes, seems that Gordon and Alsidair have plenty of taxpayers money to help out their friends in the City but none to give to the 125,000 pensioners who have lost their pensions under Big Gordon's watch.
Shocking, but that's what happens when the big business donors have a corrupt government in their pocket.
Tough luck suckers, pay your taxes and shut up and enjoy your retirement.
Gordon and Alisdair certainly will.
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