Ulster donation rules allow parties to get cash in secret

THE new government could benefit from secret donations because of littleknown rules allowing Democratic Unionist Party donors to remain hidden.

Substantial funds that have been given to the DUP have not been made public because of rules banning their publication by the Electoral Commission.

Unlike other political parties, the Electoral Commission is not allowed to publish details of money given to the Northern Irish parties because of concerns supporters might be intimated.

However, the lack of transparency means Theresa May’s government could be reliant on Northern Irish MPs with unknown and potentially serious conflicts of interest.

Anyone taking part in British elections is required to report the size and source of donations to the commission, which publishes them on its website.

However, the body is banned from reporting the details of cash and loans given to both the DUP and Sinn Fein under a law designed to balance “greater transparency and accountability… against the fear of intimidation”.

In January this year James Brokenshire, the Northern Irish Secretary, announced he was to write to parties in the province to seek their views on the issue, citing “significant” changes in the political and security situation which might lead to “progress”.

Tory modernisers may balk at joining forces with a traditionalist party known for its strong opposition to LGBT rights, same-sex marriage, abortion and climate-change science. The DUP also counts a number of creationists among its senior members.

The party came under fire in February after it was found to have for accepted a £425,000 Leave donation from the Constitutional Research Council (CRC).

An investigation by the openDemocracy website found the CRC was chaired by Scottish Conservative Richard Cook.

In 2013 Mr Cook founded a company, Five Star Investment Management Ltd, with Prince Nawaf bin Abdul Aziz al Saud, a former head of the Saudi Arabian intelligence agency.

Another partner in the venture, Danish national Peter Haestrup, has been accused of involvement in a 1995 arms shipment to Hindu terrorists in India. Mr Haestrup disputes the claims and has denied any wrongdoing.

The Northern Ireland Office is consulting on whether “the time is right” to start publishing donors’ details.