Tories must say why they refused Electoral Commission interviews says Huhne

6.44.00pm GMT Thu 4th Mar 2010

Posted: Thu, 4 Mar 2010 18:44:00 GMT

Commenting on reports from the Electoral Commission that Tory officials had refused requests to be interviewed by investigators, Chris Huhne said:

"It's extraordinary that officials of a major political party should refuse a meeting to answer questions from the regulator designed to ensure funding is open and honest.

"It's the equivalent of a criminal suspect asking a police officer whether their work is really necessary.

"The Conservatives must now answer the question about who told their officials to withhold cooperation from the Electoral Commission. On whose authority was this request refused?"