Second Labour resignation over dodgy donations

Rather overshadowed in the (English) media has been the news in Scotland that Scottish Parliament Labour frontbencher Charles Gordon has quit his post after it was revealed that Wendy Alexander’s Scottish Labour leadership campaign accepted an illegal donation:

The Labour Party in Scotland is facing the prospect of a wounding criminal inquiry after one of its most senior figures admitted illegally securing funds for Wendy Alexander’s leadership campaign.

Charles Gordon quit as Labour transport spokesman at Holyrood just hours after an investigation by The Herald revealed his involvement in securing a payment from a multi-millionaire tax exile.

Yesterday, he admitted approaching Paul Green to ask for a donation. Mr Green said he was asked for £950, just below the level which would have to be declared publicly. As a Jersey resident, Mr Green is barred by UK law from giving money to political parties or politicians.

Tom McCabe MSP, Ms Alexander’s campaign manager, conceded said there had been “clearly a breach of the law”. [Scottish Herald]