Â鶹Éç

It's been a long time coming and there are few details yet - only the one that truly matters to former Welsh Secretary, Peter Hain. The Crown Prosecution Service will not be taking any action against him over the late declaration of donations of £103,000 to the Electoral Commission.

There'll be a statement at 10am and my colleagues are already heading to Neath to talk to Mr Hain.

Until a few weeks ago I got nothing but head shaking when I asked around Westminster whether Gordon Brown might invite Peter Hain back into his cabinet. No-one believed the CPS would take action against him after all. When his name was cleared, wouldn't Number 10 be on the phone? At a time when all hands are needed at the pump wouldn't his experienced hands be pretty valuable? Most thought it unlikely.

Then Gordon Brown brought Peter Mandelson back to man the pump. I wonder if they're still so sure it's unlikely.

This statement from Peter Hain:

"I said all along that reporting some of the donations to my 2007 Labour party deputy Leader campaign late was an honest mistake. Now everyone knows that it was.

"After ten months in limbo while the inquiry took its course, I now look forward to tackling again the issues of social justice, human rights and equality as I have done for all 40 years of my political life, both outside and inside government, from anti-apartheid protester to cabinet minister."

• Bookmark with:
• |
• |
• |
• |
• - What's this?