Liberal Democrats call for decision to stop 'tainted election' says Huhne

9.46.49pm GMT Mon 1st Mar 2010

The General Election result risks being 'tainted' if the large sums donated by Lord Ashcroft to the Conservatives are found to be illegal, the Liberal Democrats have said.

Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne has written to the Electoral Commission to ask it to conclude its inquiry before the General Election.

In the letter, Chris Huhne said:

"Should the Conservative Party secure a majority following the General Election using donations made by Bearwood Corporate Services Limited, and your investigation were to conclude after the General Election that these donations were illegal, this would raise serious concerns about the legality and validity of the entire election result."