Pendle MP, Gordon Prentice, this evening welcomed the Government U turn which will stop tax exiles from bankrolling UK political parties.

Speaking in the Commons this evening, the MP said the changes proposed by the Government should be supported. But he added: "They should have been put in place years ago".

The MP claimed multi millionaires are, in effect, buying elections. He said: "Outside the short pre election period there are effectively no controls whatsoever on how much a political party can spend in a constituency. Marginal constituencies such as mine in Pendle are awash with cash provided by tax exiles. It pollutes our politics."

The MP has campaigned relentlessly over many months to close a loophole which allows millionaire UK citizens who do not pay UK taxes from channeling millions into the party of their choice.

Prentice secured the backing of 216 MPs for his Commons motion to close the loophole but for procedural reasons it was not taken.

"I asked Lord Dale Campbell Savours to table the same amendments in the Lords where they were successful. The Commons considered these amendments this evening and agreed with the thrust of them. Further fine tuning will now take place."

"I feel quite elated."