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05/12/2008
Former NIO Boss Will Not Face Charges
It has been revealed that one of the last politicians to serve as NI Secretary of State, the ex Cabinet Minister Peter Hain, will not be facing criminal charges over political donations he received during his failed deputy leadership challenge last year. Mr Hain (pictured at Stormont with veteran DUP politican, Ian Paisley) resigned over the matter, forcing the Prime Minister to reshuffle government positions.
A police inquiry was launched into the funding campaign, organised by the former Pensions Secretary, which aimed to propel him into the Labour deputy leader position. Harriet Harman later won the vote.
The incident was one of several that plagued Gordon Brown's transition into Number 10.
As a result, Mr Brown pledged to restore public trust in the government when he took office in June 2007.
According the Crown Prosecution Service, there was not enough evidence to charge Mr Hain, who was first elected as an MP in 1991.
Crown Lawyer Stephen O'Doherty said, although Hain did not report all donations to the electoral watchdog within the required 30 days, he was not directly responsible for dealing with money given to his campaign team.
In May 2005, following the 2005 General Election, Mr Hain was appointed as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, also retaining the Welsh Secretary position.
On 28 June 2007 he was appointed as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in addition to retaining responsibility for Wales.
See: Hain Will Not Face Donation Charges
(PR)(BMcC)
A police inquiry was launched into the funding campaign, organised by the former Pensions Secretary, which aimed to propel him into the Labour deputy leader position. Harriet Harman later won the vote.
The incident was one of several that plagued Gordon Brown's transition into Number 10.
As a result, Mr Brown pledged to restore public trust in the government when he took office in June 2007.
According the Crown Prosecution Service, there was not enough evidence to charge Mr Hain, who was first elected as an MP in 1991.
Crown Lawyer Stephen O'Doherty said, although Hain did not report all donations to the electoral watchdog within the required 30 days, he was not directly responsible for dealing with money given to his campaign team.
In May 2005, following the 2005 General Election, Mr Hain was appointed as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, also retaining the Welsh Secretary position.
On 28 June 2007 he was appointed as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in addition to retaining responsibility for Wales.
See: Hain Will Not Face Donation Charges
(PR)(BMcC)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A mostly cloudy start with scattered showers, the showers becoming more isolated and largely confined to the south this morning. Becoming brighter this afternoon, the best of any sunnier spells across northern counties. Northerly winds easing. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:A dry evening with late sunny spells and some long clear spells overnight. Becoming cloudier across the north towards dawn with a few showers possible. Touch of frost in south. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
