The leader of the Conservative opposition in Britain, William Hague, has defended his party treasurer, Michael Ashcroft, against allegations of misconduct over his big business interests in the Central American country of Belize.

Mr Ashcroft has been accused of getting the former Conservative government to press Belize to preserve special tax privileges for him.

The Foreign Office in London has confirmed that it made representations to Belize on Mr Ashcroft's behalf -- but said it would have done the same for any British citizen.

A British Labour government minister, Margaret Beckett, has called on the Conservative Party to say exactly how much money Mr Ashcroft has given it.