Slugger O'Toole

“Following discussions with the Metropolitan Police Service and the Crown Prosecution Service..”

Channel 4 News have reported that the Electoral Commission have said they are referring the case of the Secretary of State for Wales, etc, Peter Hain and the donations to his failed campaign for deputy leader of the Labour Party, via a non-thinking think tank, to the Metroplitan Police. The following statement is on the Electoral Commission website

Statement regarding Peter Hain MP donations
On 29 November 2007, Peter Hain MP informed the Electoral Commission that he had not fully reported to the Commission donations he had received for his Labour Party deputy leadership campaign.

Mr Hain has since met with the Commission and provided additional information about donations he received. The Electoral Commission has undertaken a thorough review of this information.

Following discussions with the Metropolitan Police Service and the Crown Prosecution Service, the Electoral Commission has now referred matters to the Metropolitan Police for them to consider whether an investigation should commence.

Adds And apparently Peter Hain, MP, has resigned from the Cabinet. Update At the Telegraph blog James Kirkup asks “Could Shaun Woodward be collateral damage in Mr Hain’s fall?” I’d doubt the Prime Minister would make such a move at this particular point in time.. Perhaps we could instead see another combining of the two Secretary of State offices.. Adds Peter Hain’s resignation statement and Gordon Brown’s acceptance of that resignation. And Apparently Paul Murphy, who preceded Peter Hain here, is to take on the role of Secretary of State for Wales.. again..