Tories demand Brown campaign fund inquiry
The Tories have today called for an inquiry into Gordon Brown’s leadership campaign amid claims his bid to become the next prime minister is being partially bankrolled by senior businessmen he employed at the Treasury.
Conservative frontbencher Chris Grayling has written to the cabinet secretary, Sir Gus O’Donnell, urging him to investigate suggestions that some individuals and organisations who have provided the chancellor with support for his political activities have also been beneficiaries of government contracts.
The Tories yesterday seized on figures released by the Electoral Commission that showed Mr Brown received some 101,700 in cash donations and 11,070 in non-cash help and services this month.
Donors included businessmen Paul Myners, Lord Leitch and John Miskelly, who gave 9,700, 5,000 and 2,000 respectively and held senior positions on independent government reviews.
In his letter to Sir Gus, Mr Grayling said: “Gordon Brown says he wants to put the trust back into British politics. Yet it appears that people close to him politically have been doing paid work for the Treasury and for other government departments while he has been chancellor.
“If it’s true, this is a completely unacceptable situation, and there needs to be a proper investigation into what has happened.”
The Tories have put forward a number of related allegations surrounding government contracts and political support for Mr Brown and his team which they have asked Sir Gus to investigate and clarify.
Mr Grayling added: “It is completely unacceptable to put your political friends onto the payroll. It’s obvious that the culture of cronyism that existed under Tony Blair is going to carry on under Gordon Brown. But the chancellor seems to be taking things to new depths.”
A cabinet office spokeswoman said: “We have received the letter and will respond in due course.”
