Not for jumping
The statement expected at 11am finally came at 3.30pm.
As far as I can see it answered just two questions: Mr Hain is not for jumping and yes, he's going to repay the £25,000 interest free loan he got from diamond broker, Willie Nagel, via the PPF think-tank.
These are the facts that remain:
Progressive Policies Forum were set up a few weeks after Mr Hain said he was going to stand for the deputy leadership. It appears to have done very little to progress any policies.
One of its trustees, John Underwood, was one of Hain4Labour's main money men. I've spoken to more than one source who were closely involved in the campaign. They're agreed on one thing: they regarded John Underwood as the Hain campaign treasurer.
Some of those whose donations were channelled via PPF had decided against donating to the Hain campaign because they didn't want their names to be made public.
All of those who donated via PPF now say they are happy that their money went to the campaign but it's nowhere near clear that they were asked first, as they should have been. One says he can't remember but he might have been; one says he wasn't asked; another seemed to say he wasn't asked but in a statement, then skirted the issue.
The donations, say Mr Hain, were made by people who were legally entitled to do so but it's a fact, driven home by this morning's papers, that it doesn't look good nor feel right.
Mr Hain is no fool and won't even dare to think it's all over.
And all for the pleasure of beating Hazel Blears into last place
I'm Betsan Powys, Ö÷²¥´óÐã Wales' political editor. I'll be blogging the inside track on .
°ä´Ç³¾³¾±ð²Ô³Ù²õÌýÌý Post your comment
I have to add that one of the most important issues concerning this whole affair, is that Peter Hain in making case out of his 'administrative errors - does absolutely nothing to reverse the very widely held public view - that many politicians are essentially self serving, rather than servants of the people.
Betsan
Pleased that he's not resigning. He's one of the few that seem to have the right kind of ethics that public office requires.
Poor old Peter.Delay after delay with this afternoon`s announcement.For what?We have been left with more questions than answers.It can now only be a matter of time before he does the honourable thing.
The next question will be...
Who's going to pay back the £25,000 loan on behalf of Peter Hain? I can't see him putting his hand in his own pocket. Not even MPs have £25k worth of loose change.
I have to add that one of the most important issues concerning this whole affair, is that Peter Hain in making case out of his 'administrative errors - does absolutely nothing to reverse the very widely held public view - that many politicians are essentially self serving, rather than servants of the people.
Politicians - such as everyone else, has to accept & demonstrate responsibility for their actions and not to be seen passing the blame in such a flippant manner!
Seems the Sunday papers have backed off him a bit today, and Cameron's not too keen to force the issue seeing as how Osbourne isn't Mr Clean either.
Any chance Brown will have a reshuffle before the investgations report, moving Hain on from the DWP and leaving us in Wales to suffer the full attention of Mr Permatan?
Nothing has changed from this statement made by Hain:
1. An individual made a donation to PPF, who did not know and was not asked if his donation could go to Hain's campaign...that is illegal.
2. Was PPF set up as a bona fide Think Tank or was its function to siphon funds into Hain's campaign...may be illegal...most certainly unethical.
3. If 2) above is an incorrect assumption, then what exactly was the purpose of PPF.
Is it any wonder so many people in the country are disaffected with our politicians when we see the petty minded behaviour and points scoring that they continue to engage in - as with this. Makes me feel quite angry really - just watched AliGindahouse on tv that really highlighted so much of what is going on currently.