Kennedy: cash for access

The Liberal Democrats have offered company bosses access to senior party figures in return for cash, it has been reported.

In the wake of the party's criticism of links between the government and business donors, the revelation has prompted allegations of hypocrisy from Labour MPs.

But party leader Charles Kennedy said there was "no story at all".

In a brochure seen by the Guardian, the party is offering businesses and lobbyists the chance to meet party leader Charles Kennedy and other spokesmen to discuss issues of concern during the party's conference in Brighton in September.

The brochure says that the Lib Dems are now "exercising real power" in Westminster, Scotland and Wales, as well as in local councils across Britain. "A clear benefit to your organisation/clients," it adds.

The party is also offering "VIP tours" which, it says, "present top class opportunities to talk one-to-one with the most senior spokespeople and policy makers in the party".

And the conference organisers are even offering the option to sponsor the creche, a good opportunity "for a company whose target market is parents of babies and young children".

The Lib Dems defended the fundraising attempts, saying that while party figures would meet with company bosses, it did not mean they would do them any favours.

"This is not a cash for access story at all," Charles Kennedy told BBC Radio Scotland. "This is something every single political party does, for every single national conference. There is no scandal here."

The Liberal Democrats have traditionally had a substantially lower budget than their main election rivals.

In last year's general election the party registered payments of £1.24 million, compared to £12 million for the Conservatives and £11 million for Labour.