UK NEWS

FACE UP TO FIRING HAIN, ‘DITHERING’ BROWN TOLD

DENIALS: Peter Hain will be investigated this week

Monday January 14,2008

By Gabriel Milland Political Correspondent

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GORDON Brown faced more charges of dithering yesterday as under-fire Cabinet Minister Peter Hain clung to his career.

Tory leader David Cameron said Mr Brown should tell the Work and Pensions Secretary to deal with the revelations about the funding of his Labour deputy leadership campaign or face the axe.

One report yesterday said Mr Brown “bottled” sacking Mr Hain on Thursday, hoping that giving him only lukewarm support would persuade him to resign.

But Mr Hain defied Downing Street advice to consider his position after allegedly trying to cover up donations to his failed bid to become deputy leader.

He issued a statement on Saturday dismissing claims that he used a think- tank as a “front” to accept gifts.

He failed to declare £103,000 of donations to the authorities in time, blaming the oversight on pressure of work.

Mr Cameron said yesterday: “If I was in the Prime Minister’s shoes I would say to Hain, ‘Look, you’ve got to get out there, you have to explain yourself, you’ve got to answer all these questions’.

“And if you can do that then maybe your job is safe, but if you can’t you will have to go.

“Instead, I sense Gordon Brown is dithering.”

Mr Hain should learn this week if there will be an investigation by the Standards Commissioner – which could lead to his suspension from the Commons.

A poll yesterday brought more bad news for Labour, with the Tories doubling their lead in the past two weeks. The YouGov survey for the Sunday Times put the Tories on 43 per cent, compared to 33 per cent for Labour.

Meanwhile, the Conservatives faced questions about their own funding yesterday when it emerged that Shadow Chancellor George Osborne had not registered £487,000 in donations to Tory HQ that were passed on to him to help run his private office. The money was earmarked to be given to Mr Osborne when it was donated to the Conservative party.

A source close to Mr Osborne said the regulations were unclear and pointed to emails between Mr Osborne’s office and the Register of Members’ Interests asking if the money should be registered.

It also emerged that fellow shadow cabinet member David Willetts had registered money given by donors to the party that ended up paying for his staff.

Mr Cameron said the Tories sought clarification – but Mr Hain had not.

THE CUPRINOL TANNED............

14.01.08, 10:21pm

t0ssers colour only matched by this morons arrogance.

So typical of most NuLabour MP's, complete conviction and belief that they can do no wrong, and that it is we who are all wrong. Hain the pain is just another in a long line of corrupt, fraudulent, lying and contemptible NuLabour pickpockets.

Tonights news has shown this imbecile saying "I told everything, I told the relevant authorities, I was completely open"!!!..........Yes, only after he was found out did he attempt to volunteer information!

What a crook, what a cheat, what a fraud!....from a party that the epitomises waste, lies, incompetence and corruption.

• Posted by: moorlok • Report Comment

WHOLE DAMN GOVERNMENT SHOULD RESIGN!

14.01.08, 7:23pm

They are a disgraceful bunch of lying cheating moneygrabbing traitors who have given this country away.

• Posted by: Jac16 • Report Comment

WHOLE DAMN GOVERNMENT SHOULD RESIGN!

14.01.08, 7:23pm

They are a disgraceful bunch of lying cheating moneygrabbing traitors who have given this country away.

• Posted by: Jac16 • Report Comment

SLEAZE

14.01.08, 11:39am

The last Tory Government was cosidered to be sleazy but they just don't compare with this bunch of duplicitous, corrupt and self serving liars!

• Posted by: jonocynic9 • Report Comment

SACK HAIN, DITHERING MCBROWN TOLD.

14.01.08, 10:09am

SACK HAIN IMMEDIATELY AND PUT ANOTHER LOWLIFE CHEAT IN HIS PLACE BECAUSE THAT IS ALL NULABOUR HAVE.
How is it that when McBrown has a decision to make when one of his misgovernment detestable slimy toadies commits a crime or is dishonest, or is found to be a liar he dithers and does not have the balls to give them the sack but at every given chance sticks the boot into the ENGLISH that he hates so much, TRAITOR.
It is maybe that one foreign piece of crap does not recognize another piece of foreign crap?
Why in hells name are we ENGLISH misruled by foreigners?
Throughout the McBliar-McBrown regime there have been many, many whom have sinned, lied, misled or been downright dishonest in some way, what a positive horrible shower.
Just imagine how much worse thing will get under this UNELECTED FOREIGN DESPOT WITH NO BALLS.
Good luck.

• Posted by: Robertz • Report Comment