Osborne implicated to Russian billionaire

[Damien]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7681464.stm

This is getting interesting all of a sudden. Last week Mandelson was facing questions over his links to the Russian billionaire, Oleg Deripaska, after it emerged he had links to him in the past and was recently at the party with him.

Now though, The guy who hosted the party which kicked things off has become annoyed at the Tories, mostly his friend George Osborne, who he claims revealed the details of the 'private party' to attack Mandelson and has issued his own statement in which he reveals that Osborne was at the party.

Apparently Osborne was a close friend of his and was staying at his Villa, and also went to the party. He alleges that before he went to the party he discussed the possibility of a donation, and then discussed it further. Even saying that because such donations were illegal they should be funnelled via a British company the Russian owned. The BBC now was witnesses that confirm the donation was talked about

The BBC has learnt that the shadow chancellor, George Osborne, had a discussion with the financier Nat Rothschild during which the possibility of a donation from the Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska was raised. The conversation took place at Mr Rothschild's villa before Mr Osborne visited the billionaire on his yacht. Other guests at the villa witnessed the conversation.

I guess the serious question is now if Osborne (or the Tory fund-raising manager who was also present) suggested that he should channel the donation. Apparently the host of the party has a number of witnesses who can verify that this suggestion was made. Surely Osborne knew it would come out he had links to the guy as well? Why did the Tories push the Mandelson story?

If true, would Osborne have to resign? This would be hard evidence as opposed to Mandelson, who just looked extremely dodgy (not least because of his track record) but had no evidence against him.

More Importantly, Is anyone else concerned that so many apparent High-Flyers in politics were at the same party, as invited friends and guests of the same guy?

[Maggy J]

Concerned? Yes! Surprised? No!

[Damien]

Apparently, What caused Rothschild to reveal the donation request from Osborne was his annoyance his Osborne's activities in the press. At this party (or on the same Island) Osborne was dining with Mandelson, and Mandelson had been making disparaging remarks about Gordon Brown. Osborne had been briefing Journalists of this in private and mentioning the links to Deripaska.

Rothschild seems to have become angry at this and in his letter said "Perhaps in future it would be better if all involved accepted the age-old adage that private parties are just that.". As well as revealing the Osborne had been asking the donation, and accusing him of suggested the donation is given via LDV as to avoid the legality issues.

Is summary, Osborne was in a massive glass house and threw the first stone. I think the real issue here is his idiocy rather than anything else. No donation was made, so really the issue is mute.

[tweetypie/8]

Originally Posted by Damien

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7681464.stm

This is getting interesting all of a sudden. Last week Mandelson was facing questions over his links to the Russian billionaire, Oleg Deripaska, after it emerged he had links to him in the past and was recently at the party with him.

Now though, The guy who hosted the party which kicked things off has become annoyed at the Tories, mostly his friend George Osborne, who he claims revealed the details of the 'private party' to attack Mandelson and has issued his own statement in which he reveals that Osborne was at the party.

Apparently Osborne was a close friend of his and was staying at his Villa, and also went to the party. He alleges that before he went to the party he discussed the possibility of a donation, and then discussed it further. Even saying that because such donations were illegal they should be funnelled via a British company the Russian owned. The BBC now was witnesses that confirm the donation was talked about

I guess the serious question is now if Osborne (or the Tory fund-raising manager who was also present) suggested that he should channel the donation. Apparently the host of the party has a number of witnesses who can verify that this suggestion was made. Surely Osborne knew it would come out he had links to the guy as well? Why did the Tories push the Mandelson story?

If true, would Osborne have to resign? This would be hard evidence as opposed to Mandelson, who just looked extremely dodgy (not least because of his track record) but had no evidence against him.

More Importantly, Is anyone else concerned that so many apparent High-Flyers in politics were at the same party, as invited friends and guests of the same guy?

he is a slimy looking git anyway,not surprised in the least.

[demented]

Silly boy Mr Osborne . You'd think they'd learn from recent history.

[frogstamper]

Originally Posted by Damien

Surely Osborne knew it would come out he had links to the guy as well? Why did the Tories push the Mandelson story?

Personally I think the Tory party would have kept quite over this junket, neither they or Labour look good in this story, but young Gideon has a track record for opening his mouth before thinking in the hope of putting somebody down.
Trying to have a pop at Brown, he called him "autistic" in his behaviour, and now at a supposedly private party he leaks comments Mandelson made about Brown.
It's precisely this that seems to have gotten Nat Rothschild's back up, it seems pretty obvious that there must be an "unwritten rule" that at private events where members of differing parties are present, that's whats said stays private...otherwise MPs would never be able to relax or take time out.
Little Gideon was probably getting worried by all the good press GB has been getting over the credit crisis, but not in the polls though, and without thinking, again, thought this little titbit about Mandy "pouring poison" would start the civil war again within Labour, it looks like his snide comments have back-fired.
And this is the man who wants to run our economy!!! As Dennis Skinner once said in the commons to Osbourne, "sit down you snot nosed brat".

[frogstamper]

oh Georgie

[Damien]

So Now:

• Osborne had to admit talking about a donation after Initially refuting the claim
• Rothschild is continuing to leak details after the denial from Osborne. Mentioning many witnesses who saw the conversation at the home and on the boat. All saying Osborne brought up the subject and the method of delivery
• Brown wants a investigation

Not sure what there could be a investigation for, The Tories did not receive any cash. All this story is about is Osborne being a bit of an idiot (and a hypocrite) for using the private conversation against Mandelson when he engaged in worse dealings at the same party.

[Osem]

I may be missing something but why was Rothschild party to any talks about alleged political donations which would have been illegal had they been accepted? If it was all so dodgy why didn't he raise this subject at the time? This matter doesn't reflect well on any of those involved so far as I can see.

So far as Brown's apparent desire to see the matter fully investigated, I reckon his offer was made in the pretty safe knowledge that such an investigation is highly unlikely given the circumstances.

[Damien]

Originally Posted by Osem

I may be missing something but why was Rothschild party to any talks about alleged political donations which would have been illegal had they been accepted? If it was all so dodgy why didn't he raise this subject at the time? This matter doesn't reflect well on any of those involved so far as I can see..

He didn't raise it because, in his view, it was a private conversation and a private party. When Osborne started revealing the details of the Mandelson conversation Rothschild became annoyed and released the letter saying Osborne had sought an Illegal donation.

It's not uncommon in Politics to have off-the-record conversations, it's how a lot of the system works. Osborne seemed to be unable resist the urge to abide by that and instead chose political gain and that is what most annoyed Rothschild

[RizzyKing]

So far as i can see there was talk about donations not an uncommon subject for politicians from any of the parties and no cash has been donted so we only have the word of someone that was a "friend" to all and has now dropped them all in it great friend. Right now the only thing i can see wrong was that one person invited guests from different parties to come together probably encouraged debate along certain lines and has now spilt the beans on the going ons at the party he organised.

There has definately been some indiscretion here from a number of people but so far nothing illegal has been done or even proved. We don't know what the hell went on all were going on is hearsay and rumour and suggestion coming from a bunch of people with their own agendas so i am not putting any stock in any of it.

[Osem]

Originally Posted by Damien

He didn't raise it because, in his view, it was a private conversation and a private party. When Osborne started revealing the details of the Mandelson conversation Rothschild became annoyed and released the letter saying Osborne had sought an Illegal donation.

It's not uncommon in Politics to have off-the-record conversations, it's how a lot of the system works. Osborne seemed to be unable resist the urge to abide by that and instead chose political gain and that is what most annoyed Rothschild

Private or not, if what he alleged took place it would still have been illegal.

[Damien]

So far as i can see there was talk about donations not an uncommon subject for politicians from any of the parties and no cash has been donted so we only have the word of someone that was a "friend" to all and has now dropped them all in it great friend. Right now the only thing i can see wrong was that one person invited guests from different parties to come together probably encouraged debate along certain lines and has now spilt the beans on the going ons at the party he organised.

To be fair to him, he only spilled the beans after Osborne had been doing the same about Mandelson. Osborne has admitted himself about the donation (after he was forced too by Rothschild's rebuttal to his previous denial) but denies that he suggested channelling it though the British company.

The reason it keeps going is because there were witnesses, according to Rothschild.

I agree that it's lacking substance and there isn't that much evidence, But the Tories were going all out on Mandelson for something less than this, with less evidence. It's weak for them to turn around and try and play that card when it didn't bother them less than a week ago. (Although to their credit, they are not doing that yet)

[RizzyKing]

I think the reason osbourne repeated mandelsons comments were because lets be honest it is hypocritical at best to slag someone you take a job off and for me showed what we were getting in having mandelson back in government.

As for rothschild this is a man that claimed to be a friend to both of these people and is now doing everything he can to ruin them and for me that says more about him then a private conversation about donations which seems to be a standard thing amongst politicians from all the partys and i would imagine if we got to hear about half the private conversations they had about donations none of the main political partys would look very good.

A good host keeps his\her mouth shut about what goes on at things they organise and therefore put themself in a position to hear things they wouldn't normally have the chance to hear. Only good thing or bad thing depending how you look at it that may come from this is that politicians may keep their mouths shut a bit more when not in totally private company.

[Damien]

I think the reason osbourne repeated mandelsons comments were because lets be honest it is hypocritical at best to slag someone you take a job off and for me showed what we were getting in having mandelson back in government.

Yes it is. But It's also hypocritical at best to throw accusations at Mandelson while you were at the same event, asking for money, which would have been illegal if granted.

As for rothschild this is a man that claimed to be a friend to both of these people and is now doing everything he can to ruin them and for me that says more about him then a private conversation about donations which seems to be a standard thing amongst politicians from all the partys and i would imagine if we got to hear about half the private conversations they had about donations none of the main political partys would look very good.

They all do it isn't an excuse, Also Rothschild is not trying to ruin them. His comments were sparked off after Osbornes comments. Do you think it's fair that Osborne was going around revealing the private comments of Mandelson and should not have to have his own misdeeds aired in the same fashion?

A good host keeps his\her mouth shut about what goes on at things they organise and therefore put themself in a position to hear things they wouldn't normally have the chance to hear. Only good thing or bad thing depending how you look at it that may come from this is that politicians may keep their mouths shut a bit more when not in totally private company.

He did, Until Osborne broke that code himself.