Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Darren Millar MS, has written to the First Minister seeking urgent clarification after Electoral Commission records confirmed that a Labour Party organisation in Caerfyrddin received a £10,000 donation from Labour Together Ltd in April 2024.
The organisation operates within the Mid and West Wales region represented by the First Minister.
The intervention follows recent media reports that the Cabinet Office is examining claims that Labour Together paid approximately £36,000 to a US lobbying firm which subsequently made allegations about journalists from The Times who were investigating Labour Together’s funding. Labour Together has also been reported to have received significant financial backing from Quadrature Capital, a hedge fund with structures based in the Cayman Islands.
In his letter, Mr Millar has asked:
Whether the First Minister was aware that the Caerfyrddin Labour organisation had received the donation.
If the First Minister has had any direct engagement with Labour Together.
What due diligence was undertaken before the funding was accepted.
Whether she has confidence in Labour Together as a funding body.
Whether the money will now be returned in light of the public concern surrounding its source.
Darren Millar MS said:
“There are serious and legitimate questions about this donation and the wider funding arrangements connected to Labour Together. Given that this funding relates to an organisation operating within the First Minister’s own region, it is entirely reasonable to expect full transparency.”
“Public confidence in political funding depends on clear accountability and a willingness to act when concerns are raised. The First Minister should set out what due diligence was undertaken and whether she believes this money should now be returned.”
Mr Millar has requested a response at the earliest opportunity.
ENDS
Note to editors:
https://search.electoralcommission.org.uk/English/Donations/C0586706
