Labour in fresh party funding row
The Labour Party has been accused of using councillors' allowances to help pay off party debts. A leaked memo shows funds are being sent to Labour Party headquarters rather than to fund local party activities. The Standards Board for England said it had received a complaint from an ex-Labour councillor and Northumbria Police have also confirmed they have received a complaint from a former leader of Sunderland Council, Bryn Sidaway, who quit in protest at the levy. Mr Sidaway said that that he was threatened with disciplinary action for refusing to give 3% of his £7,106 allowance - about £215. It's an imposition of the worst kind and it's all about cash to fund what is basically mismanagement of Labour Party funds."