Abrahams denies Jewish conspiracy fear
David Abrahams has denied claims he donated more than £650,000 anonymously to the Labour party because he wanted to avoid claims of a Jewish conspiracy.
The property developer instead continues to insist he asked intermediaries to act as conduits for the donations because he wanted to protect his privacy.
Following an interview with Mr Abrahams, the Jewish Chronicle said he had wanted to avoid suggestion of a “Jewish conspiracy” at the top of the Labour party.
The newspaper reported Mr Abrahams as saying: “Some of the things written about me have been terrible. Now they are saying there was a Jewish conspiracy, with Lord Levy, Jon Mendelsohn and me, and that is ridiculous.
“The real reason I wanted to remain anonymous was that I didn’t want Jewish money and the Labour party being put together, because this is what I feared would happen.”
However, last night Mr Abrahams’ spokesman contacted the BBC and said the millionaire’s comments had been misrepresented.
His spokesman said: “He wanted to remain anonymous to protect his privacy and for no other reason.”
The Jewish Chronicle also claimed Mr Abrahams was prepared to “take one or two dirty turns” if ministers try to “hammer” him to avoid the fallout from the anonymous donor row.
Meanwhile Peter Watt, who resigned as Labour’s general secretary when the row first became public, is reportedly angered at being made a scapegoat.
The party leadership reportedly hoped a swift resignation from Mr Watt would draw a line under the emerging scandal.
Mr Watt insists he did not realise proxy donations were illegal, having inherited the anonymous arrangements when he became general secretary in 2005.
Mr Abrahams began donating to the party in 2003, when Mr Watt was Labour’s finance and compliance office.
The previous general secretaries, Matt Carter and Lord Triesman, have refused to be drawn into the row.
