Tories raise £1.45m in first campaigning weekBy James Tapsfield, Press Association
The Tories raised £1.45m in significant donations during the first week of General Election campaigning - nearly twice the amount banked by Labour.
David Cameron's party received 33 large gifts worth £1,455,811 between the contest being called on April 6 and April 12.
Meanwhile, Labour raked in a total of £783,159 from seven sizeable donations, and the Lib Dems just £20,000 from two.
The figures reported to the Electoral Commission only cover gifts of more than £7,500, and so will not include smaller amounts given by party supporters.
The gifts were pledged before the historic first prime ministerial debate last Thursday, when Nick Clegg's strong showing sparked a surge in Lib Dem support. The parties have 30 days from receipt to decide whether to formally accept.
The Tories benefited from a £250,000 gift from IPGL Ltd, a company controlled by the party's Treasurer, Michael Spencer.
Furniture Village chief executive Peter Harrison gave £100,000 in cash. He is among the businessmen who have backed Conservative proposals for reversing the bulk of the Government's National Insurance hikes.
The party was also handed £100,000 by rock star Chris Rea, and £150,000 by the Glasgow-based Juniper Property Finance Company Ltd.
The figures for Labour do not include a £400,000 donation from the Government's enterprise champion Lord Sugar, which was made after the reporting period.
Independent
