London - The Formula One boss, Mr Bernie Ecclestone, has denied reports that he is refusing to appear before a Commons inquiry into party political funding, insisting he is "still considering" whether to accept the invitation, writes Rachel Donnelly.
Mr Ecclestone's £1 million donation to the Labour Party prompted allegations that it had influenced the British government's decision to seek an exemption for the sport from the European ban on tobacco advertising. It was the first major embarrassment to the new Labour cabinet.
The Commons Committee on Standards in Public Life opens later today and will investigate the motives behind donations to political parties and whether donors expected any reward in return.