Multi-millionaire Greg Dyke gave the party a donation of £50,000, according to The Times newspaper.

The paper also says Downing Street encouraged Mr Dyke to put his name forward for the job.

Greg Dyke is a well known Labour Party supporter

He is one of six candidates to take over the £377,000 a year job, following in the footsteps of Sir John Birt.

The Labour Party has confirmed that Mr Dyke had been a large-scale donor but would not reveal the exact amount he gave.

A spokesman said: "He was listed as someone who donated more than £5,000 in the run-up to the general election. If he wants to reveal the exact figure that is up to him."

But Shadow Culture Secretary Peter Ainsworth accused the government of cronyism.

"It would be invidious for the BBC to be headed up by a man who is so deeply involved in the New Labour project," he said.

The BBC's board of independent governors will decide who is to replace Sir John. Mr Dyke is up against four internal candidates and ITV Chief Executive Richard Eyre.

Mr Dyke, who made his name at London Weekend Television and TV-am, is a well-known Labour supporter.

He supported Mr Blair's bid to become Labour leader and last year headed a government NHS task force.