Scottish Labour leader spared by Electoral Comission verdict
Wendy Alexander
Wendy Alexander, the Scottish Labour Party leader, has been cleared by the Scottish Electoral Commission of “intentional wrongdoing” after accepting an illegal campaign donation in the build-up to the Scottish Labour party leadership contest.
Ms Alexander was told that she took “significant” steps to act within the bounds of the law, despite accepting a £950 donation from Jersey-based businessman Paul Green. The developer is not on the UK electoral roll and as such is not permitted to make donations to UK political parties.
The verdict was branded a "whitewash" by Ms Alexander's political rivals.
Following the Commission’s findings, Ms Alexander told a press conference: “My honesty and my integrity have been confirmed by this judgement.”
She apologised for the mistake that had been made and said: “Lessons have and will be learned.”
While describing the controversy as a “bruising experience,” she stated that: “I will not walk away from my party or the people of Scotland while there remains a job to be done”.
The Scottish Labour Party Leader had been under increasing pressure to resign, especially after her recent referral to the procurator fiscal for failure to declare 10 gifts of between £520 and £1000 donated to her uncontested party leadership campaign.
The Electoral Commission’s findings were only concerned with the donation made by Mr Green; the procurator fiscal’s ruling is still pending.
Given that the Electoral Commission’s verdict stated it was “not appropriate or in the public interest” to prosecute Ms Alexander, much of the mounting political pressure has now been lifted.
The commission’s findings cannot have pleased SNP Finance Minister John Swinney who, prior to the report, told the The Scotsman that: “If the parliamentary standards commissioner has felt it necessary to report Wendy Alexander to the procurator fiscal, then the Electoral Commission has absolutely no alternative.”
In contrast, the commission’s conclusion will undoubtedly be greatly welcomed by the Prime Minister after recent scandals concerning funding have engulfed the Labour Party. Ms Alexander’s case drew comparisons with the resignation of Work and Pensions Secretary Peter Hain, over £103,000 of undeclared donations in his deputy leadership campaign for the national party.
The news is especially welcome for Charlie Gordon, MSP for Glasgow Cathcart, who sought the donation on Ms Alexander’s behalf and also received a gift from Mr Green.
Mr Gordon had stood down from his position as Scottish Labour Party spokesman for transport as a result of the controversy but until today had not known whether he would face prosecution and loss of his parliamentary seat.
Now that much of the pressure surrounding this issue has been removed, Wendy Alexander will have more time to address other problems threatening her leadership.
Ms Alexander is facing ridicule for her decision to abstain in the vote on the SNP’s budget proposal, despite sparking significant controversy and debate. In addition, Ms Alexander’s performances at First Minister’s Questions have damaged confidence amongst her parliamentary colleagues.
Alex Salmond, the First Minister said: “This whole affair has been extremely damaging to Wendy Alexander’s leadership of the Labour Party.”
In reference to the funding row, another critic of Ms Alexander, SNP MSP Roseanna Cunningham, commented: “There is a long way to go yet before she is clear of the issue. She is not out of the woods yet.”
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