Portillo payments under fire

Michael Portillo: Under fire over alleged impropriety

How much money was involved?

The Guardian reports that more than £20,000 was paid - a fact Malcolm Tyndall, the former Conservative Party agent in Enfield Southgate - the seat held by Michael Portillo until 1997 - is quoted as accepting.

Mr Portillo does not dispute that he received the money in question. He insists, however, there was nothing improper about the donations and that there was no requirement for him to declare them in the House of Commons register of members' interests.

What was the money for?

Businessman Patrick Barker offered "at least £2K" for two or three private dinners or lunches a year with around eight top company directors/chairmen to discuss their "concerns", according to a memo from Mr Tyndall to Mr Portillo.

A dinner was also arranged with US advertising firm McCann Erickson for 11 December 1995.

Memos between McCann and Mr Portillo's office show the firm wanted him to have "a frank discussion with senior business figures" rather than making a speech.

The guests included Gavin Darby, the UK chairman of Coca-Cola, with other top businessmen from large blue chip companies.

The memos with McCann refer to an earlier dinner on the same format organised by another advertising company, Bates Dorland.

Mr Portillo was employment secretary and later defence secretary at the time of these arrangements.

Where did the money go?

To Mr Portillo's constituency association in Enfield Southgate. The Guardian says some of the money figures as "sponsorship" in constituency accounts.

Why all the fuss?

Mr Portillo did not declare receiving the money and the question is whether or not he should have done so.

He insists he did "everything according to the rules" and denies any impropriety, while the Guardian quotes an unnamed former cabinet colleague as saying such payments broke the "spirit of the ministerial code".

What does the code say?

The rules in force in 1995 said "no minister for public servant should accept gifts, hospitality or services from anyone which would or might appear to place him under obligation".