Hain sorry (again) for 'forgotten' donation of £82,000

Published on Tuesday 8 January 2008 21:17

PETER Hain, the Work and Pensions Secretary who is in charge of one of Whitehall's biggest budgets, has been forced to apologise for overlooking a £82,000 political donation.

Mr Hain, who late last year was twice forced to admit to accounting errors with his failed deputy-leadership campaign, yesterday said he deeply regretted the latest gaffe.

The Neath MP, who also juggles his portfolio with being Welsh Secretary, blamed "administrative failings", which he described as "deeply regrettable".

He will now make late declarations to the Electoral Commission by the middle of the month.

"It is no secret that there were organisational and administrative problems within my deputy-leadership campaign," he said.

On the late submission of the 82,000 donation, he said: "I reiterate that this is deeply regrettable and I sincerely apologise."

Mr Hain revealed at the end of November that he had failed to register a 5,000 donation from Jon Mendelsohn, Labour's chief fundraiser. Then, at the beginning of December, Mr Hain said other donations to his campaign "were not registered as they should have been", including a 1,300 campaign dinner.

The Prime Minister's official spokeswoman said No 10 had "full confidence" in every member of his Cabinet.