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Nationalists call for clarification on Alexander funding row |
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Monday, 07 January 2008 |
The SNP has called on the Electoral Commission to provide a clear outline of any action it intends to take, or has already taken, over claims that Scottish Labour leader Wendy Alexander accepted an illegal donation in her leadership campaign.
The call comes after newspaper reports on the weekend suggested the Commission will not refer the donations to a police inquiry. Other reports suggested that Alexander has been questioned under caution by the Commission over the matter.
Alexander and the Labour party have refused to comment on the matter since the story broke late last year and have refused to answer questions over whether Alexander has been interviewed by the Commission over the matter.
SNP MSP Roseanna Cunningham said:
“I can see no reason why Wendy Alexander should not say if she has been interviewed under caution or not. There is no impediment to her being open about such an eventuality. It is ridiculous that the leader of Scotland's main opposition party thinks she can maintain a vow of silence for over a month. What kind of leadership or opposition is that?
“These problems have made Wendy Alexander a lame duck leader and it's time both she and the Labour party thought long and hard about this strategy. The Electoral Commission must clarify the extent of its investigations considering the leaks that are appearing. Ms Alexander and her team have admitted breaking the law and it seems the only place for this investigation to go is either straight to the police or the procurator fiscal. Breaking the law is breaking the law – particularly for lawmakers.”
The Electoral Commission said it had comment to make on Cunningham’s claims.
A Scottish Labour spokesman said:
“Wendy Alexander has fully co-operated with the Electoral Commission and is confident that it will clear her of any intentional wrongdoing. She hopes that the Commission will complete their inquiries swiftly but it must have time to do so free from political or outside pressure.”
One person has commented on this article. 1. Nationalists call for clarification on Alexander funding row
Tartan Hero, Unregistered Wendy Alexander has clearly made Charlie Gordon the scapegoat for this fiasco but it is David Whitton's role as campaign treasurer which should be under investigation every bit as much as Wendy's own culpability.
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