HIGH time to crack down on dodgy political donations, anti-corruption MPs said today, to stop the erosion of public trust in democracy.

Speaking ahead of an anticipated Commons debate on political finance rules, Labour MP Lloyd Hatton, who serves on the all-party anti-corruption group, said: “It is currently far too easy to sidestep the rules or hide political donations.

“This makes our elections — and British democracy — vulnerable to undue influence from malign foreign actors or from a handful of billionaire donors.

“In order to safeguard our national interest and democracy, we must close secrecy loopholes and toughen up enforcement against suspect political donations,” he added.

And Green MP Ellie Chowns said: “Democracy should be about everyone having a fair and equal say, yet dark money and rich donors are making a mockery of this principle.

“The government should respond by putting a cap on donations to stop billionaires and lobbyists having disproportionate power over our elections — and close reporting loopholes so the public knows who donates, how much and to whom.”

Research from Transparency International revealed that nearly one pound in 10 donated to political parties since 2013 has come from unknown or questionable sources.

Reforming MPs are calling on ministers to act to close legal loopholes that allow potentially dark money to flow into British politics. Proposed reforms include capping political donations and spending, lowering donation reporting thresholds to £500, curbing foreign interference and increasing the independence of the electoral commissioner.

Daniel Bruce, chief executive of Transparency International UK, said: “MPs know better than most the privileged access and influence that big money can buy in politics.”