The one ray of light in this gloomy affair for Peter Hain is the robust support he can expect from his boss when the figures are finally published.

As Ben Brogan writes, the Downing Street machine is rowing in behind Gordon Brown's beleaguered Work and Pensions Secretary.

The view from Number 10 is that nothing has really changed since Hain identified an "administrative error" back in December. The mechanism of that error is the same - ("chaos", presumably)... It's just the amount that has increased.

I tend to feel tens of thousands can not be glibly dismissed. But the key point for Brown's people seems to be that Hain himself knew nothing of what happened. Individuals with good reason to know what has been going on have told me separately that Hain was "flabbergasted", and "staggered" to learn of the sums involved.

Downing St has been kept in close touch with what has been going on by Hain in recent days. On the basis of what he has been told, it seems the PM feels there is no reason to doubt his cabinet colleague's integrity.  Embarrassing and awkward, yes.... but not a resigning matter.

Comments

[The Morning Post 14 Jan 2008 09:15:57]

Its no suprise that New Labour will back Peter Hain to the hilt. Tony Blair had no compunction in defending miscreants, even rewarding them with promotion at times via the EU! Blair and Brown are two sides of the same coin! If only they realised the damage they have done and continue to do to our Parliamentary reputation for honesty and transparancy right around the world!

[Elizabeth Davies Cape Town 13 Jan 2008 05:40:08]

The only "good news" will be if Hain resigns.

[Eddie Allen 12 Jan 2008 12:13:25]

People need to get off their treadmill of what other parties may or may not have done because whatever the case it is in no way shape or form as hideous as the actions of this government who is actually in office to prevent it. THEY are the one's to reckon with the electorate lest you all forget and nothing will change that regardless of anyone's attempts to turn the argument or cast the spotlight elsewhere.

Enough of the electorate are sick to death of this excuse for a government and an election is a priority to this country's needs which come FIRST and foremost, and certainly before the positions of cheats holding on to power at any cost including that of democracy.

[Ian Olive, France 12 Jan 2008 04:39:43]

I suppose we should all be thankful that Hain's campaign didn't work otherwise he would now be the deputy leader of the labour party. What a horrible thought. Perhaps there is a god after all, but he doesn't live in Westminster...

[Elizabeth Davies Cape Town 11 Jan 2008 17:58:54]

Morning Mail
OK call the Electoral commission if it makes you happy

[The Morning Mail 11 Jan 2008 17:39:43]

Dearest Elizabeth,

The illegal donations fall within the remit of the Electoral Commission and not the Police.

It does however beggar belief that Cammers was lecturing others on integrity and propriety when he didn't even care to check his own house was in order.

A comment at the time from Labour MP John Mann who complained to the Electoral Commission said :

"In recent weeks, we have heard Mr Cameron say someone who does not know what is going on in their party is not fit to lead the country.

"Presumably he believes that is even more true for someone who does not know what is going on in their own constituency office."

To date I believe Cammers has still to answer that question.

[Elizabeth Davies Cape Town 11 Jan 2008 16:01:58]

The Morning Mail
If you have a problem with any of Mr Camerons donations I suggest you call the police.

[pyksie Cheshire 11 Jan 2008 15:17:37]

Surely this man has committed a criminal offence? Why is he still in office?

[The Morning Mail 11 Jan 2008 12:54:35]

Elizabeth on the subject of non disclosure of donations.

I'm still waiting for a comment from Dave Cameron about the failure in his constituency to declare donations. Cammers constituency party admitted to receiving £7,400 in invalid donations.

The money came from two illegal sources, as the benefactors were not on the UK electoral roll.

[Khalid 11 Jan 2008 11:03:49]

Whilst many a "Careless Whisper" remains surounding the integrity or otherwise of such financial disclosure, the nail has been hit on the head by virtue of the fact that if it were jo public, then a public flogging would have been sponsored by all and sundry. As it happens, MP's seem to somehow bypass all realms governing integrity, yet they carry on as if nothing untoward has happened. But who knows what "George Michael" might uncover?

[Elizabeth Davies Cape Town 11 Jan 2008 09:42:50]

If Mr Brown supports Mr Hain in non declaration of campaign funds and sees no reason to fire him then Brown should go as well.
When Brown stepped into Downing Street he claimed there would be no more nonsense from this Labour government....what a joke, there has been more nonsense since he has headed up this crew than under Tony Blair, and that was bad enough.

[Expat. Cheshire 10 Jan 2008 22:11:25]

Brown is not worried about Hain's integrity. The rest of the UK are sick fed up with this dishonest set of ministers. Hain has known about this situation for weeks and he has tried to hide it. Gordon - What does your moral compass tell you about dishonesty? Have some courage and sack him

[Ian, Lancashire 10 Jan 2008 21:32:45]

I have to say Hain is one politician I can not stand. The words holier than thou spring to mind.
I will enjoy his squirming over this but will he be brought to task? Have you ever tried to put put handcuffs on an eel?

[David H 10 Jan 2008 20:20:31]

I'm waiting to hear how the usual suspects spin this.

[Mitch ,England 10 Jan 2008 19:45:13]

Didn't Lester piggot "forget" to declare his financial dealings.

[E Welshman 10 Jan 2008 19:39:55]

Never mind where the money came from - where has it gone ? Are we being asked to believe that the money was given to him without him knowing anything about where it came from and how it was spent ? Come on, you can do better than that, surely.

Methinks you at Sky are also rowing in behind Hain, as true Labour apologists. As you say the matter cannnot be 'glibly dismissed', but you are making every effort to downplay it as just 'embarrassing and awkward'.

What do this bunch have to do for you to agree to it being a resigninig matter ?

[Bruce Hulmes / England 10 Jan 2008 19:18:39]

Bill, Middle England.

Now wake up boy, if you get your tax / expenses etc wrong your a cheat, if a Labour MP gets his /her figures wrong its an error.
You know and I know, infact we all know, only Tory MPs are fiddlers, heaven forbid any accusation that gods gift to the British people ie the New Labour party would or could harbour corrupt individuals, well even their late great beholder of the truth and nothing but the truth Blair has met the Pope.
Now you know why all politicains pee in that same pot.

[Victor, NW Kent 10 Jan 2008 18:46:25]

I am also a bit staggered at the sums involved. It now appears that the money he had donated towards his campaign is between £180,000 and £200,000. That seems to prove that there are a lot of nutters in the Labour Party.

[Paul, Leeds 10 Jan 2008 18:31:31]

Can somebody please explain to me exactly what a Nu Labour minister has got to do before it merits resignation?

[Bill, Middle England 10 Jan 2008 17:51:18]

I wonder how understanding Mr Brown would be of an ordinary citizen who'd underpaid their taxes by thousands for identical reasons!

Classic socialism once more - some are more equal than others when it suits...