Labour rejects pounds 5m offer 'on principle'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.LABOUR has turned down an offer of pounds 5m - more than half the sum it spent on the last general election - from an Asian businessman.
Dr Moosa Bin-Shamsher, a multi-millionaire Bangladeshi businessman with worldwide business interests, is said to have offered the cash after being impressed by Tony Blair, the Labour leader, and his team.
But when the offer was detailed to Paul Blagborough, the Labour Party's director of finance, it was turned down on principle because Dr Bin-Shamser has no direct business, residential or political interests in the United Kingdom. Labour has repeatedly criticised the Conservatives for taking money from Hong Kong and other overseas sources with which to fight British general elections.
Frank Dobson, Labour's acting campaign co-ordinator, said: 'We have always opposed the Conservatives taking money from foreign supporters. We have to stick to our principles.
'If we say that about the Tories we have to apply the rules to ourselves. We think that British people believe that it is only right for British money to be spent on British elections.
'We think that's right, and when we form the Government we will change the law so that no British political party can take money from abroad.'
Dr Bin-Shamsher told the People newspaper yesterday: 'I have regularly donated to charities and therefore to want to donate to a party that believes in social justice was a logical step.'
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments