The Conservative Party leader, William Hague, is demanding that the Prime Minister issue an explanatory statement about the tobacco sponsorship row.

He has asked to see the minutes of a meeting Mr Blair had with the Formula One racing chief, Bernie Ecclestone, on October 16, 1997.

But Downing Street says no official minute of the meeting was made. Max Mosely, the president of the motor sport's ruling body, was also present at the meeting, which took place three weeks before it was announced that Formula One would be exempted from the ban on tobacco sponsorship.

William Hague says Mr Blair is "evading the facts"

"It is a continuing story of evasion of facts and the truth having to be dragged out of the Government day by day. I think we should now see from the Prime Minister a properly open and frank statement about everything that has happened," said Mr Hague.

Earlier Labour admitted that party officials were talking about a second donation from Mr Ecclestone while a sponsorship ban was being discussed.

The news about the extent of their relationship came a day after Labour said that Mr Ecclestone had offered it money after the May General Election and that the party should be praised for turning it down.

The millionaire then denied making any formal offer, over and above his original gift of £1m in January which Labour has returned.

Tony Blair is under mounting pressure to reveal all the facts

The Prime Minister, Tony Blair, defended his government by saying that the standards watchdog was consulted as soon as the controversy broke.

"It is us that referred this matter, the Labour Party, to Sir Patrick Neil who is the official watchdog," Mr Blair told reporters. "He made his recommendation, we followed it to the letter and, frankly, to be chased around by a bunch of Conservatives, who have never disclosed any of their donations or have ever returned a donation in their lives, is pretty ridiculous."

Mr Ecclestone described the return of his donation as "gross, insulting and irrational". He denied that he was trying to buy influence by offering Labour even more money after the election. Mr Ecclestone has appealed to Sir Patrick Neill, chairman of the committe on standards in public life, to reconsider his ruling that Labour must return the the money.

Bernie Ecclestone denies in newspaper reports he offered money

In January, Mr Ecclestone handed over his £1m donation. In June, ministers began discussions on a Europe-wide ban on tobacco sponsorship.

But it is now clear that as ministers were planning policy, Labour's fund raisers were in talks about another possible donation. On November 5, the government announced it proposed to exempt Formula One from a sponsorship ban.

Liberal Democrat MP Simon Hughes called for an open and "honest" debate on the issue. He said: "I think it's a very say day that so early in the new government, committed I believe to get rid of the sleaze of the old government, we are again seeing that money looks as if it's buying influence and money talks."

 
Eddie Jordan, owner of Jordan racing tells the BBC, "Formula 1 is the jewel in our crown"

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage	©