Lib Dem donor arrested in Spain

The man who gave the Liberal Democrats more than half their budget for the last general election has been arrested in Spain, it has been revealed.

Michael Brown, who donated £2.4 million to the party last year, was detained by Spanish police on Wednesday following an extradition request, the Foreign Office said.

"He was arrested on April 19th following an extradition request and our consular official has visited him in prison in Majorca on April 20th," a spokesman said.

The Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca) said the arrest of the 40-year-old Scot was not linked to any investigation by British police, but no further details are currently available.

Mr Brown was the subject of an investigation by the Electoral Commission in September after it was revealed that the company through which he made the party donation was based on Britain but had its parent company registered in Switzerland.

Electoral law prohibits foreigners from donating to political parties, but the watchdog concluded that his contribution – which made up more than half of the £4 million spent by the Lib Dems at the last general election – was "permissible".

Despite that, then Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy ordered an internal inquiry into the affair. However, in October, then deputy leader Menzies Campbell said he would have no problems in accepting money again.

Questioned about today's development, a spokesman for the Liberal Democrats insisted it had nothing to do with the party.

"We are not aware that this has any connection whatsoever with the Liberal Democrats. Any further action is a matter for the police and the relevant authorities," he said.