Sheila Gilmore, Labour MP for Edinburgh East, responding to reports the Conservative Party has repaid an impermissible donation from a company linked to a Russian banker, said:

“This is deeply embarrassing and serious. The rules are very clear and the Conservative Party themselves should have ensured that their fundraising activities were in accordance with the guidelines at all times.

“This raises serious questions over the Tory Party’s funding. The Tories should make clear who solicited this donation, who decided it should be registered this way and publish details of their contacts with Andrei Borodin.

“People will also want assurances that this is the only example of a donation of this kind having been arranged.

“The Tories’ re-election campaign is bankrolled by a dwindling group of elite donors, but, after this and reports of lavish dinners, we need more transparency over Tory funding.

“David Cameron stands up for a privileged few who fund his party coffers. Working people can’t afford five more years of the Tories.”