The News of the World says.....

Donations must be an open book

IF the extraordinary capers in Corfu prove anything, it is that the funding of political parties in this country needs a root-and-branch shake-up.

ALL donations solicited or received, and any favours promised in return, should be transparently declared.

If no law has been broken there is nothing to hide.

The characters in this heady Greek soap opera include George Osborne -possibly our next Chancellor-a Russian billionaire, and Peter Mandelson, Labour's sultan of spin.

Back in the Cabinet for just 23 days, we now reveal he is the subject of an official complaint about links to a super-rich French aristocrat and lobbyist.

Politicians will always be seduced by power and wealth.

And dodgy tycoons will always be drawn to political power brokers.

Indiscretions and errors of judgement will often be more significant than acts of craven corruption.

But that isn't the point.

Barely four weeks ago David Cameron insisted that what Britain needed at a time of economic crisis was leadership, character and judgement.

In his speech to the Tory Party, he said: "No one will ever take lectures from politicians about responsibility unless we put our own house in order."

Adding: "That means sorting out our broken politics. People are sick of it. Sick of the sleaze. Sick of the cynicism."

Is it any wonder the man and woman in the street believe Westminster politicians have one law for themselves.

And another for us.

Oh for a spirit of truth

THE shameful undercounting of 4,000 violent crimes is hard to stomach.

Manipulated or accidentally miscalculated, it's not surprising the public have little faith or respect for police forces, governments or civil servants.

Yet behind every number lies a human story. None more than the case of Lucy Goldsmith in our centre spread.

Lucy was just 15 when a love rival doused her in white spirit and set it ablaze. Her skin melted away.

Now, bravely back at college, she vows defiantly: "I will enjoy my life. Otherwise she's won."

Lucy's story reflects the true face of crime-and the lives it changes forever.

Horrors like hers must NEVER be covered up.

Recipe for porridge

SO, Gordon Ramsay is off to the land where swearing can get you jailed.

Optimistically, he insists he'll regularly pop back from Dubai to present his effing UK food shows.

Really? Do they have day-release schemes over there, Gordon?

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