Whether or not he has actually done anything improper, do we think that Peter M should be transparent about what hospitality and meetings he has had with the various oligarchs and other billionaires, and what decisions he took as Trade Commissioner that impacted on their wealth?

Interesting spat developing between George Osborne and Nathaniel Rothschild about what was or was not said to Oleg Deripaska, Russia’s richest man, about a possible donation to the Conservative Party.

This morning Today reported that Rothschild had a witness who would back up his claim in yesterday's letter to The Times if it came to court. Interesting that Osborne was accompanied by Andrew Feldman, Tory party chief executive, at the drinks party on the yacht in Corfu. Rothschild's major claim in his letter is that "George Osborne, who also accepted my hospitality, found the opportunity of meeting with Mr Deripaska so good that he invited the Conservatives’ fundraiser Andrew Feldman, who was staying nearby, to accompany him on to Mr Deripaska’s boat to solicit a donation.", and also that "it was suggested by Mr Feldman, in a subsequent conversation at which Mr Deripaska was not present, that the donation was “channelled” through one of Mr Deripaska’s British companies."

The Tories completely deny that they attempted to solicit a donation from Oleg Deripaska. Donations by overseas residents, or a proxy British company, are illegal under PPERA.

A comprehensive defeat for those who advocated a retreat to the "core" and a bold move to end a decade and a half of feuding. What's not to like?

"Lord" Peter (Whimsy) Mandelson is on his way back to the cabinet. "Please let this be true".  The man can count which would be an innovation in the Cabinet Office. He also has has the ability to scare the regulators in to doing their job. Go for it Gordon !!! 

How will the next PM deal with things like this?

Story from this week's Tribune.
Peter Mandelson is giving Colombia extra trade rights because of its supposed excellent union rights. As the Sun would say, you couldn't make it up!