Hain resigns over donor row
Peter Hain has resigned as work and pensions secretary and secretary of state for Wales.
He has stood down from government “to clear his name” after it was confirmed the Metropolitan police will investigate his failure to report £103,000 in donations.
Downing Street said the prime minister had accepted his resignation.
In his letter to Gordon Brown, Mr Hain said he had “no alternative” but to resign “in order to give myself the time and opportunity to clear my name”.
Facing reporters outside of his department, Mr Hain said would cooperate fully with the police and continued to support the Labour government, adding that he had “enjoyed” his time in office.
Mr Hain said: “I severely and seriously regret the mistake in declaring donations late, and I have co-operated as soon as I was able to with the Electoral Commission, providing all the details they have asked for.”
The Electoral Commission said it has referred Mr Hain’s failure to declare full funding for his deputy leadership campaign to the Metropolitan police.
The Met said: “We can confirm we have received formal referral from the Electoral Commission in connection with potential breaches of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendum Act regarding donations received [by Peter Hain].
“An investigation will now begin by detectives from the special economic crime command led by acting commander Nigel Mawer.”
The commission said it had met with the work and pensions secretary and he had provided further information on the donations received.
Mr Hain, who is also secretary of state for Wales, said at the end of November he had not properly reported donations to his bid to become deputy leader of the Labour party.
He did not report full details of these missing donations to the Electoral Commission until earlier this month.
It emerged he had received a further £103,000, including £50,000 channelled through the dormant Progressive Policies Forum thinktank.
In a statement the electoral watchdog said: “The Electoral Commission has undertaken a thorough review of this information.
“Following discussions with the Metropolitan police service and the crown prosecution service, the Electoral Commission has now referred matters to the Metropolitan police for them to consider whether an investigation should commence.”
Mr Hain finished fifth in a six-way bid to become deputy leader, outspending the eventual winner Harriet Harman.
Under current rules the Electoral Commission can only fine political parties and not individuals.
By referring the matter to the Met police, it will be speculated that the commission did not consider a “slap on the wrist” to be an appropriate response to Mr Hain’s failings.
Mr Hain had been expected to lose his government job in a possible May Cabinet reshuffle.
Why Peter Hain had to resign
- Hain blames “administrative error” for first “secret” donation – Nov 29th
- Hain apologises after admitting further undisclosed donation failures – Jan 7th
- Hain reveals £103,000 in unreported donations – Jan 10th
- Hain issues “full and unreserved” apology – Jan 12th
- PM says Hain’s fate out of his hands – Jan 14th
- First reports Hain could be investigated by the police – Jan 15th
- PM says Hain committed “an incompetence” – Jan 16th
- Hain cleared of breaking ministerial code – Jan 18th
- Hain resigns from government as case passed to police – Jan 24th
