So Ed Miliband really is going to pick one of the bigger battles of his leadership. After Lord Fink demanded that the Labour leader withdraw what he said about the peer at PMQs or to repeat it outside the House of Commons, I’ve spoken to a Labour source who says:
‘These are very serious allegations in the Guardian about Lord Fink, including his complex arrangement to minimise tax. He still has not justified the reason why he’s made these arrangements. He should do so.
‘David Cameron must explain whether he is happy to have appointed Lord Fink as a treasurer. Then it will be up to the public to judge.’
Miliband is going to repeat his allegations outside the Chamber, as soon as he is given the opportunity to do so. Given Fink has described them as defamatory, it looks as though the Labour leader is very, very keen to pick an almighty fight. He does think that he defines himself best through battles, but those have generally been on the floor of the House of Commons, rather than in a legal arena.
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