Following Iain Dale’s scoop yesterday about Michael Brown, the Liberal Democrats' benefactor to the tune of £2.4 million[1], today it is reported by Rajeev Syal, Dominic Kennedy and James Doran of  The Times that: - 

 “The Lib Dems, already risking bankruptcy if the donation is ruled ineligible by the Electoral Commission[2], sought to distance themselves yesterday from the latest events. The Lib Dems issued a statement yesterday saying:

 

 “We are not aware that this has any connection with the Liberal Democrats. Any further action is a matter for the police and for the relevant authorities.” ”

“Distance themselves from their biggest donor”?  They are not going to manage that until they have distanced themselves from the £2.4 million he donated - by giving it back.

 

[1] It might be remembered also that Mr Brown allowed Mr Kennedy to borrow a private jet to travel around Britain during the election campaign in 2005.

 

[2] "Mr Brown was ineligible to make an individual donation to the Liberal Democrats because his name did not appear on the electoral roll in Britain. The record gifts were paid last year through 5th Avenue Partners. The Electoral Commission is investigating whether this entity was genuinely “carrying on business” in Britain. If not, the gift will have to be surrendered, risking financial ruin for the Lib Dems" says The Times article.