Robert Sangster and Charles Haughey

Asked by Magill if he ever gave money to Mr Haughey, Robert Sangster, speaking from a hotel in Melbourne, Australia, said initially,  he “didn't want to get involved in all that.” He added, “in Britain it wasn't unusual for people to contribute to the Conservative Party,” but that he didn't want to ignite (in Ireland) the same sort of controversy that surrounded Tony Blair on the tobacco sponsorship issue.

Asked again if he ever gave money to Charlie Haughey or to Fianna Fail, he said, emphatically,  “no”.