Conservatives top quarterly donations list

The Conservatives raised 拢3.69m in donations between July and September, according to official figures released by the Electoral Commission.

The Tories topped the donations table for the third quarter of 2010, ahead of Labour which received 拢2.31m.

The Liberal Democrats and the UK Independence Party received 拢350,645 and 拢454,234 respectively.

A total of 拢7.2m was given to British political parties over the period, the electoral watchdog said.

Separate figures for borrowing show parties have amassed 拢14.9m in loans that have yet to be repaid.

Of these, Labour's outstanding loans total 拢9.8m while the Conservatives owe 拢2.8m. The Lib Dems have 拢488,344 to repay while the SNP owe 拢484,503.

Under Electoral Commission rules, only gifts totalling 拢7,500 or more for a central party, or 拢1,500 for a constituency association, have to be declared.

The watchdog said 56 donations - including 27 to the Conservatives and 22 to the Lib Dems - were reported late during the period in question, an increase on the previous quarter.

From next month, the watchdog said it would have a "wider range" of sanctions and penalties to deal with late reporting.

It said these would range from requiring parties to review their procedures to, in serious and repeated cases of non-compliance, the prospect of fines.

Political parties raised a record 拢26.3m in donations in the run-up to May's general election.