The Labour Party received substantial backing from wealthy donors in the first three months of this year, the Electoral Commission revealed yesterday.

The science minister, Lord Sainsbury, gave £2.5 million, while Sir Ronald Cohen gave £250,000. The Sunderland football club chairman, Bob Murray, gave £100,000.

Patrick Stewart, who plays Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek, donated £50,000. David Lammy, the junior health minister, gave £1,820.

The Times claims the Telegraph Group made a £10,000 donation towards Tory funds.

The Conservatives received more than £2 million during the first quarter of the year, mainly from wealthy individuals. The Liberal Democrats raised £281,817.