QUITE how Peter Hain remains in his Cabinet post is difficult to fathom. Failing to declare more than £100,000 donated to his failed campaign for the deputy leadership of the Labour Party would have done for most politicians.

Let us be clear on one issue. Works and Pensions Secretary Mr Hain is not suspected of wrongdoing or illegality.

The donations made to his campaign were not "dodgy" in any way.

But MPs have to declare donations made to them and Mr Hain - or his campaign team - did not do so.

For that there must be some form of sanction.

Like him or not, Mr Hain has been an effective minister over the years.

He made progress in Northern Ireland, speeded up compensation to sick and dying former miners across the country during his time at the energy department, and recently gave substantial help to people who had seen their pension funds decimated by their employers going bust.

But that should not save him now. An oversight involving a few thousand pounds we could perhaps understand - but not a six-figure sum.

And claiming to be too busy doing his ministerial job to notice is just not good enough.

If that is the case, what else is he not noticing?

Mr Hain should do the honourable thing. He will find himself respected for doing so.