THE Ashcroft row is degenerating into one of those who-knew-what-when intrigues which fascinate the Westminster village but leave the real world nonplussed.

The real world simply sees a fabulously wealthy man who has cynically avoided paying taxes in this country by claiming non-domicile status. By one estimate, that has saved Lord Ashcroft £127m over ten years – a sum that would have built a handful of schools to benefit the ordinary man.

Having made the decision to deny Britain the benefit of his earnings, it is morally wrong for him to have bought his way into the heart of the Conservative Party, where he has gained undue influence over how the taxes of the ordinary man will be spent by a Conservative government.

The funding of our political parties is a horribly murky world. It looks as if this Belize-based businessman has, through his donations to the Tories, bought a seat in the British House of Lords. He may even have bought an election – his £4m campaign in the 50 tightest marginal seats may prove crucial as the polls tighten.

William Hague, the Richmond MP, is caught up in this murk with who-knewwhat- when questions to answer.

However, Mr Hague’s response to Labour mud-flinging yesterday was correct: “People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.”

Lord Paul, who has an estimated family fortune of £500m, is a non-dom who gave £45,000 to Gordon Brown’s leadership campaign.

Last June, he was appointed to the Privy Council. A coincidence, or had he bought his way to the top table?

On a smaller scale, the Liberal Democrats have their non-dom benefactors too.

To the real world, this all looks like the expenses scandal: there are huge sums of money secretly and scandalously sloshing around Westminster. No one has ever done anything wrong, and no one is ever accountable, but the little man, who provides receipts for everything and pays his taxes religiously, knows it is not right.

It is going to be difficult to vote enthusiastically for any of them.