Tories to reveal lenders' names
Theresa May says Conservatives will reveal all loan details to watchdog
Sunday, 02, Apr 2006 12:00
The names of all the Conservative party lenders will be revealed to the Electoral Commission, a shadow cabinet minister said.
The Tories had said they were not going to disclose the identities of two people because they had loaned money on the condition that they would be kept anonymous. The party revealed the names of 13 lenders on Friday.
Theresa May, shadow leader of the Commons, told BBC's Sunday AM that the elections watchdog would now be shown a full list of benefactors, but the names would be kept secret from the public.
"As I understand it, the Electoral Commission will be able to see all of the names," she said.
"Obviously there are those who wish to remain confidential in a public sense. But the Electoral Commission will be able to come in and look at the terms of those loans and the names."
Former treasurer Lord Ashcroft lent the Conservatives the most money during last year's general election campaign, making £3.6 million available for the party.
Labour revealed the names of its lenders nearly two weeks ago, after it was claimed that those who loaned money were given peerages. The prime minister denied these allegations.
Tony Blair is due to meet Tory leader David Cameron this week to discuss how political parties should be funded in the future.