Conservatives fail to come clean on loans - Rennard

Today quarterly returns published by the Electoral Commission show that the Conservatives have failed to come clean with regard to loans received prior to 1st April 2006.

A voluntary code of conduct agreed by the Commission and many political parties agreed that all loans received should be reported on the same basis as donations and that "Parties may report all existing loans as well as any new loans reported in the quarter."

The Conservative Party has failed to do so - reporting only loans received in the last quarter. The Liberal Democrats have reported all outstanding loans.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Chief Executive, Lord (Chris) Rennard said:

"Public confidence in politics is likely to suffer further unless all political parties are open and transparent.

"It is a matter of deep regret that the Conservatives have only decided to report loans made to them since 1st April.

"They should immediately file a report to the Electoral Commission, ensuring that all their outstanding loans are a matter of public record."