So, finally, after 10 years of obfuscation and mystery, Michael Ashcroft has admitted that he pays no UK tax on his overseas earnings (almost all his earnings come from overseas) despite sitting in the House of Lords and making UK law. And whilst in the Lords he has given £5,000,000 to Tory party funds, especially to key target constituencies where the Tories need to win to gain power.

Why did it happen today ?  Well finally the Information Commissioner has accused the Tory party of obfuscation and is demanding clarity on Ashcroft’s status.The Lib Dems have been prominent in building up the pressure.

Ashcroft gave an undertaking to reside in the UK when he was made a lord. It turns out that not paying tax in the UK and retaining non-dom status is no bar to making laws for the rest of us.

And if you question the power of his money, look around Reading West and see how many glossy Tory leaflets are raining down on the electors.