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Police to prepare case against Hain as minister resigns (Roundup)
By Rich Bowden, M&C Staff Writer Jan 25, 2008, 11:46 GMT
Peter Hain, the outgoing Minister for Work and Pensions, makes a statement to the media outside the Department for Work and Pensions HQ, in London, Britain, Thursday January 24, 2008. Peter Hain has quit the cabinet after his Labour deputy leadership campaign donations were referred to the police. Hain said he had stood down so he could "clear his name". EPA/ANDY RAIN
(M&C) - The Met police will prepare evidence against former work and pensions secretary who has resigned over a donations row.
Mr Hain, a close colleague of Prime Minister Gordon Brown, quit his post as he faces a police inquiry into his failure to declare donations totalling £103,000 during his bid for the deputy leadership last year. He blamed the failure to notify electoral officials as an administrative blunder and has apologised.
With Mr Brown's cabinet reshuffled after Mr Hain's resignation, the work and pensions portfolio will go to 37-year-old James Purnell. His other position in the Welsh office went to Paul Murphy.
The prime minister said Mr Hain's decision was the "right and honourable thing to do" while the opposition leader David Cameron said it was the "right decision".
Mr Hain said “I severely and seriously regret the mistake in declaring donations late,” and said he was resigning to "clear his name".
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