Tory donor in Forgemaster row back in spotlight

Penistone and Stocksbridge Labour MP Angela Smith has vowed to write to the Electoral Commission to question the money given by Andrew Cook, who boasted of being the largest Tory donor in Yorkshire when he wrote to Ministers just weeks before the loan was axed. He donated more than 650,000 to the party in recent years and also gave David Cameron flights when he was Opposition leader.

Ms Smith raised the issue in the House of Commons yesterday after discovering Mr Cook's main residence is on the island of Guernsey. Individual donors must be on the UK electoral roll, but Tory sources pointed out that Mr Cook's donations were legitimate because they were made by his company, William Cook Holdings, which is registered in this country.

In the House of Commons yesterday she asked the Prime Minister whether the donations were "both legally and morally acceptable".

She said afterwards: "I'll be writing to the Electoral Commission asking them whether they're satisfied the donations made to David Cameron were legal and to ask them to confirm they have checked Andrew Cook's status and they satisfied themselves the donations from William Cook Holdings were from the company."

Mr Cameron insisted the donations were all above board, adding: "Obviously it is up to every party leader to make sure that when they accept a donation they make proper checks and do so in the proper way.

"All the donations that the Conservative party has received are properly set out with the Electoral Commission and other bodies, and we do everything we can to make sure they are accurate."

A Tory source said both parties accepted donations from companies registered in this country who might have shareholders based abroad.