News of the World, 26 October 2008
Byline: Ian Kirby
Roth funds storm
THE Tory Party faced fresh questions last night about their links to the Rothschild family.
Shadow Chancellor George Osborne was under pressure over a £190,000 donation from Lady Serena Rothschild, mother of millionaire financier Nathaniel. It was claimed she gave the cash to the Tories on behalf of her son.
So-called "proxy" donations are illegal – and Osborne has already been censured by Commons authorities for failing to register it properly.
Last week Mr Rothschild caused a storm by claiming Osborne had asked Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska to give £50,000 to the Tories. Mr Osborne has denied the claim. The Conservatives also received a £1million loan from Lady Victoria de Rothschild, a distant cousin of Nathaniel. She disguised her role in the loan by setting up a company called Ironmade Ltd. It has been illegal since 2006 to accept anonymous donations.
The £1million loan was made in June 2005, but is not due to be repaid until 2010. Ironmade Ltd is a "non-trading company" and has had no other function than to lend money to the Tories.
A friend of Lady Victoria said the company had been set up "so she would not be bothered by journalists".
Byline: Ian Kirby
Roth funds storm
THE Tory Party faced fresh questions last night about their links to the Rothschild family.
Shadow Chancellor George Osborne was under pressure over a £190,000 donation from Lady Serena Rothschild, mother of millionaire financier Nathaniel. It was claimed she gave the cash to the Tories on behalf of her son.
So-called "proxy" donations are illegal – and Osborne has already been censured by Commons authorities for failing to register it properly.
Last week Mr Rothschild caused a storm by claiming Osborne had asked Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska to give £50,000 to the Tories. Mr Osborne has denied the claim. The Conservatives also received a £1million loan from Lady Victoria de Rothschild, a distant cousin of Nathaniel. She disguised her role in the loan by setting up a company called Ironmade Ltd. It has been illegal since 2006 to accept anonymous donations.
The £1million loan was made in June 2005, but is not due to be repaid until 2010. Ironmade Ltd is a "non-trading company" and has had no other function than to lend money to the Tories.
A friend of Lady Victoria said the company had been set up "so she would not be bothered by journalists".