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Letter from the Parliamentary Commissioner
for Standards to Mr Gerald Malone MP
As you will be aware, during the course of
last autumn, and in particular following the collapse of the libel
action brought by Mr Neil Hamilton and Mr Ian Greer against The
Guardian, a number of reports appeared in the press concerning
alleged payments made by Mr Greer to the election campaign funds
of various Members. You were one of the Members mentioned in
this context.
You may also recall that on 14 October last,
the Speaker made a statement referring to the cumulative effect
of these allegations and to the fact that "the reputation
of the House has been called into question." The Select
Committee on Standards and Privileges, for its part, has taken
the view that it is undesirable for such widespread allegations
to be left unanswered, even where no formal complaint against
the Member concerned has been made.
I am already investigating formal complaints
against Mr Hamilton and certain other Members which have been
brought by Mr Mohamed Al-Fayed and The Guardian. But I
also wish, in the light of the Speaker's statement and the view
expressed by the Select Committee, to seek to establish the facts
in the other cases which do not form part of those formal complaints
- not least out of fairness to the Members concerned.
In order therefore to satisfy myself that, where
such a payment was made, any registration requirement was observed,
I am writing to you now to ask for the following information:
1. What donations did either you or your constituency
association/local party receive from, or on behalf of, Mr Ian
Greer towards general election campaign funds, however described,
in respect of the 1987 and/or 1992 elections? Please specify
the exact amount or amounts where applicable.
2. What, in respect of the election at which
any such donation was received, was the total figure for the
election expenses actually incurred by you, as declared in your
statutory return? 3. Whether, during either election period,
you received any other benefit, e.g., in the form of research
or secretarial assistance or accommodation paid for, wholly or
in part, by or on behalf of Mr Greer. If so, please describe
the nature of the assistance.
I would be grateful if this information could
be supplied by 31 January please.
(Sir Gordon Downey)
20 January 1997
Letter from Mr Gerald Malone MP to the
Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards
Thank you for your letter of 20 January. I
set out my responses to your three enquiries as follows: 1.
I recall Aberdeen South Conservative Association receiving a donation
from Mr Ian Greer in 1987 for £1,000. I have no knowledge
of any similar donation being made by Winchester Conservative
Association for the 1992 Fighting Fund.
2. The return of election expenses in 1987 was
submitted by my agent in Aberdeen South, Mrs Brenda MacRitchie
and is a public document. I personally have no recollection or
record of the details of that election return.
3. No.
I hope this information is helpful.
29 January 1997
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