Tories topped donations list over election period

Image caption, The accounts cover the period of local council elections in England and devolved national polls

Donations given to the Conservatives in the three months to the end of June exceeded those for Labour by almost 拢1m, official figures show.

According to the , the Tories were given 拢4.2m over the most recent quarterly disclosure period while Labour received 拢3.22m.

The Lib Dems were given 拢972,344 as overall donations to political parties totalled 拢8.6m.

Central parties are required to declare donations of more than 拢7,500.

However, the threshold is lower - 拢1,500 - for donations to constituency associations.

The reporting period in question - 1 April to 30 June - included the campaign for English council elections and national elections in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland held on 5 May.

Notable donations to the Conservatives over the period included 拢107,000 from Rainham Steel and 拢265,000 from Focus on Scotland - an "unincorporated association" which is not obliged to reveal the the names of donors using the vehicle to give money.

Labour's four largest donations all came from trade unions, headed by Unite which gave 拢765,628.

The Liberal Democrats received 拢250,000 from Brompton Capital and 拢200,000 from C&C Alpha Group - both venture capital firms.

Among other parties, the SNP received 拢126,697, the UK Independence Party 拢66,552 and the Green Party of England and Wales 拢16,940.

Donations worth 拢54,152 were reported late over the period by the three largest parties.