Details of the secret undertaking Michael Ashcroft gave nine years ago to the now defunct Political Honours Scrutiny Committee as he was being considered for a life peerage could be released next month, says the Information Commissioner, Christopher Graham. 

In a letter to Pendle MP, Gordon Prentice, dated 11 December, Graham says a Decision Notice "looks likely sometime in the New Year".

He goes on: "I hope this can be achieved before the end of January but the new case officer has to seek further information from the Cabinet Office in order to complete his investigation." 

When Michael Ashcroft was considered for a life peerage in 2000, on the recommendation of the Member for Richmond, the then Leader of the Conservative Opposition, William Hague, Number 10 Downing street issued a statement in March 2000. It said that Michael Ashcroft had given a clear and unequivocal assurance that he would take up permanent residence in the UK by the end of the year. That he would become, in effect, a UK resident for tax purposes. The statement also said his undertaking had been endorsed by Hague. 

The MP has an adjournment debate this evening (14 December) which will address these issues.

He first raised the Ashcroft issue with the Cabinet Secretary over two years ago. It was rejected on the grounds that material given in confidence should not be released.  The MP's Freedom of Information request has been with the Information Commissioner since 4 April 2008. 

Speaking from Westminster, the Pendle MP said: "Nine years down the line we still do not know if Lord Ashcroft is a UK resident for tax purposes. Tonight, I shall be pressing the Government to amend the Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill, which is currently before the House, to make it impossible for non doms to serve in the UK Parliament, Commons or Lords." 

"There is an overriding public interest in seeing the terms of the undertaking which took Michael Ashcroft into the legislature for life. It is not a private matter." 

The MP added: "The matter does not have to wait until after the election. It can be done now. And, given what he said yesterday, David Cameron will have to vote for the amendment."