Nolan inquiry into party finances vetoed by Major
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.John Major was attacked by Labour and the Liberal Democrat leaders last night after vetoing an inquiry by the Nolan committee into party funding.
Sources close to the Nolan committee, which is meeting today, said an inquiry into members' interests in the Lords was now a "front runner" for its next investigation, and a review of standards in local government would also be on the agenda.
The inquiry became embroiled in party-political controversy after Downing Street made it clear the Prime Minister would not agree to its terms of reference being widened to carry out an investigation into how the parties are funded. That would have covered the secret donors of substantial sums to the Conservative Party as well as the trade union backing for Labour.
Frank Dobson, a Shadow Cabinet member, said: "The Tories are covering up the biggest can of worms of the lot."
Paddy Ashdown, the Liberal Democrat leader, said: "It is typical of Major. He sets a bloodhound on a trail and then calls it off when it threatens to uncover something nasty. It is short-term politics to solve a short- term problem."
As the gloves came off, the Tory party chairman, Jeremy Hanley, accused Labour of "hypocrisy" over party funding following the report in the Independent about funding organisations for the Labour Party election campaign.
The row overshadowed the Nolan report last week which amounted to the most far-reaching recommendations in curbing MPs' interests ever delivered. The Nolan committee had hoped to win all-party backing, but the controversy over its next moves is certain to be raised in the Commons on Thursday when MPs debate the report. The Tories would welcome a Nolan inquiry into local government to reiterate the allegations of corruption in Labour authorities made by Mr Hanley at the start of the Tory local election campaign. But Labour said it would welcome an inquiry into local government.
The Prime Minister's office reinforced his objections to an investigation into party funds as being outside Lord Nolan's remit. "There is plenty of work to be done on their existing remit," a senior source said.
Lord McAlpine, page 19
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments