Labour Leader's Aide Offered Donor An Honour

Dec 2 2007 By Mark Aitken Political Editor

Wendy Alexander is under more pressure after we reveal campaign fundraiser put businessman backer up for gong

THE aide who raised funds for Wendy Alexander's leadership campaign tried to secure an honour for the tax exile who made an illegal donation, the Sunday Mail can reveal.

MSP Charlie Gordon recommended Jersey-based property developer Paul Green "in recognition of his work for Glasgow".

In August, Gordon requested a donation from millionaire Green to help fund Alexander's Scottish Labour leadership campaign.

The £950 gift broke rules outlawing donations from people based offshore and Alexander's leadership is now in crisis after it was revealed she faces a police probe.

Gordon quit as Scottish Labour's transport spokesman on Thursday after admitting he misled colleagues about the source of the cash.

Last night a spokesman for Green admitted Gordon's involvement in honour bid which was unsuccessful.

Gordon did not specify which award Green should receive - a decision usually left to Buckingham Palace.

Last night a SNP spokesman said: "This is yet another example of Labour trying to trade honours in return for donations.

"The more that comes to light about Labour's funding practices the stronger the need for the Electoral Commission to conduct an official investigation."

The relationship between Gordon and Green dates back years.

Green was behind the Parkhead Forge development in Glasgow's East End and the Great Western retail park in Drumchapel.

He is also the developer behind the new £350million Silverburn shopping mall at Pollok.

Gordon was leader of the city council when planning permission was granted for the project.

Last night Green confirmed that Gordon and three other councillors had nominated him for a top award but stressed the award was not a knighthood.

Gordon told us last night: "I don't recollect enough about this to confirm or deny it.

"It is possible that I wrote some kind of background report but I have never been responsible for nominating people for honours."

A spokeswoman for Green said: "A number of years ago, several people including Charlie Gordon put Paul Green forward for an honour in recognition of the work he had done for the regeneration of Glasgow but nothing came of it.

"I don't think he ever expected he would get anything as he is not even a resident in the UK.

"Mr Green would like to make it clear there is no impropriety between him and Charlie Gordon."

Alexander's team raised £17,000 in small donations - all less than £1000 - to fund her leadership bid.

She said she was unaware that the money had come direct from Green but on Friday it was revealed she wrote to him to personally thank it.

Last night Alexander was under pressure to reveal the names of every single person who donated money to her leadership campaign.

Labour insiders said they were compiling the information for the Electoral Commission but some observers accused the party of dragging their feet.

First Minister Alex Salmond said: "There has been a systematic flouting by Labour of their own funding laws.

"If Labour will not deal with these problems, then it is clear from the polling evidence and the success of the SNP that the people will deal with Labour."

'This is another example of Labour trying to trade honours for donations'

SNP SPOKESMAN

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