The British government was challenged by Opposition peers on its controversial plans to exempt political parties in Northern Ireland from registering the source of their donations this afternoon.
Conservative front bench Northern Ireland spokesman Lord Cope of Berkeley urged the House to resist the move and tabled an amendment warning that if the government had its way, it would open the door to foreign cash payments.
Under the new plans, political parties in the North would not have to keep records of the donors.
However, Cabinet Office Minister Lord Falconer, in asking the House to back the proposal, said ministers were well aware of the continued concerns about the principle of the order.
He said: "The need for anonymity has been acknowledged by most of the parties in Northern Ireland; even those that would prefer to see the donors' names be given in confidence to the Electoral Commission recognise the very existence of such a list might constitute a threat to some people.
Lord Falconer said talks had been held between the British government and the Northern Ireland political parties and while there were a number of concerns expressed by them, there was an acknowledgment of the possibility of intimidation.
PA