A SENIOR Conservative says he is concerned that two official inquiries into donations accepted by Labour’s work and pensions minister Peter Hain may not uncover why they were not disclosed.

Shadow work and pensions minister Chris Grayling voiced his misgivings during a visit to Kent.

Mr Hain is at the centre of a row over donations he accepted during his unsuccessful campaign to become deputy leader of the Labour party.

He has admitted to failing to declare donations worth £103,000 but says it was because of an administration oversight. Some of the money was channelled through a think-tank.

The funding row has now triggered two inquiries: one by the Electoral Commission, which monitors political donations and a second by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.

But Mr Grayling, who visited Maidstone’s County Hall and Ashford during his day-long visit, said: "It is right that there are inquiries but there are a number of questions that will not be addressed and remain unanswered.

What exactly was the role of this think tank? What is it and why was it used? The Parliamentary Commissioner will look at the timing of declarations. Questions about the process may not be addressed."

He added: "The fact there are so many unanswered questions means Peter Hain is going to be distracted from his job and it would be much better if he could explain directly."

Meanwhile, the Conservative shadow Chancellor George Osborne is facing questions about a £500,000 he failed to register with the Commons authorities. He has denied any wrong-doing.