British PM under pressure in selling access row_美文

British PM under pressure in selling access row

Britain's David Cameron was under pressure on Monday to disclose his meetings with donors after his Conservative party's main fundraiser quit over claims he tried to sell access to the prime minister.

The opposition Labour party has demanded an inquiry after Tory treasurer Peter Cruddas was filmed offering donors access to private dinners with Cameron and his cabinet colleagues, and an opportunity to shape government policy.

Cameron's office admitted a "handful" of Tory donors had been for dinner with the prime minister and his wife Samantha at their official Downing Street residence, but it is resisting any further disclosures.

Senior Tory minister Francis Maude said the government had already been very open about revealing ministerial meetings but it would be "unreasonable" to detail every single meeting that Cameron had, particularly in his home.

He conceded Conservative donor and former treasurer Michael Spencer had attended a private dinner at Downing Street but said he was an old friend of Cameron and his wife, and said concerns about such meetings were "a bit of nonsense".

Cruddas resigned early on Sunday following the publication of the footage shot by under cover reporters for the Sunday Times newspaper, although he said his comments were "bluster" and insisted money could not buy access to ministers.

Cameron welcomed the resignation, just one month after Cruddas took the job as Tory treasurer, saying his remarks were "completely unacceptable" and promising an internal Conservative party inquiry.