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30 August 2008 15:16 BST

PM: Hain error "incompetence"

Wednesday, 16 Jan 2008 12:56

Peter Hain's failure to declare donations was "incompetence", PM says

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Peter Hain's failure to declare more than £100,000 of donations was "incompetence", the prime minister said last night.

Gordon Brown told ITV's News at Ten that his work and pensions secretary had made a "mistake" but expressed his belief Mr Hain would be cleared of wrongdoing.

Mr Hain, who is also secretary of state for Wales, admitted last week that he had failed to declare £103,000 of donations to his deputy leadership campaign.

"It was a mistake that was made," the prime minister said. "It was incompetence that he has readily admitted to."

The funding error is being investigated by the Electoral Commission and the parliamentary commissioner for standards.

"I believe they will understand that this was a failure, that there was no corruption involved, that there was no illegal donation made, and I hope that they will be able to accept his apology," Mr Brown insisted.

The work and pensions secretary has insisted his failure to declare the funding was a "purely administrative" error.

Officials in Mr Hain's Neath constituency are expected to hold a meeting today to discuss the issue. End of story

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PM: Hain error "incompetence"

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