Lib Dems under pressure to return cash from local tycoon

TWO senior members of Britain's Liberal Democrats have called for a 2.4 million pound donation made by a Majorca based tycoon to be returned after the businessman in question was convicted for perjury and making a false passport application. Michael Brown made the donation shortly before the last general election, but he was arrested at his home in Esporlas earlier this year and extradited to Britain, where he was sentenced to two years in prison. The Liberal Democrats have been facing mounting pressure to return the money but over the weekend two senior members of the Party broke ranks and called on the leadership to return the money. Dick Taverne, who sits in the House of Lords for the Liberal Democrats, told the Sunday Telegraph that the money was “not a desirable source of funding and we should not take funding from sources like that. If we could afford to we should pay it back.” Baroness Miller felt likewise saying “I wouldn't want to keep the money.” She said that it should be repaid through contributions from party members.” ADMIRED
Michael Brown told the Bulletin before his arrest that he made the donation because he admired former Liberal Democrat leader, Charles Kennedy. It was one of the biggest donations in the party's history and was used to fund a major poster campaign during the election. The Election Commission, which looks at all Party donations is still investigation the case. If it does demand the return of the money it would be placed in a special Bank of England fund. Both the police in Spain and Britain are still investigation Michael Brown who owned homes in Andratx and Esporlas and had an office in central Palma. He was arrested in connection with an alleged fraud involving many millions of pounds and a leading British bank. However, he was found guilty only of perjury and making a false passport application. Spanish police removed large amounts of files and computers from his office in Palma and police sources have said that the case is still not closed.
Just months before his arrest Michael Brown organised a major fundraising event for Africa at a local golf course. He is believed to have moved to the island about five years ago. He accepted extradition to Britain because he wanted to fight to clear his name.