One of the key focuses of the inquiries into Labour party funding will be the months since Gordon Brown took power, and how the possibility of an early election prompted the party to reassess its funds:

May 10: Blair announces his resignation in Sedgefield; property developer David Abrahams sits in front row. John Prescott also quits. Nominations open for leader and deputy

May: Gordon Brown’s well funded campaign is offered substantial donation from Janet Kidd, Abrahams’ secretary, but rejects it because they don’t know her

May 17: Nominations close with Gordon Brown uncontested candidate to be Labour’s next leader

Jun: Hilary Benn offered £5,000 donation from Kidd. Alerted by Baroness Jay the actual donor is Abrahams; Benn campaign return cheque; accept and register donation in his name

Jun 24: Labour conference in Manchester where Harriet Harman declared deputy leader; Brown announces Douglas Alexander will be his election co-ordinator

Jun 27: Blair finally leaves office, Brown takes charge as Prime Minister and party leader

Jun 28: John McCarthy, Abrahams’ solicitor, gives Labour £35,000 on his behalf

Jul 4: Harman, now party chairman, receives £5,000 cheque for her campaign from Kidd

Jul 9: Harman sends handwritten thank you to Kidd: “Do keep in touch”

Jul 10: Flurry of 5 cheques given to Labour by three Abrahams’ proxies, amounting to £215,000

Jul 19: Labour wins Sedgefield and Ealing Southall by-elections; Tories slump to third in both

Times Recommends

• Milk: do we need a dairy godmother?
• DIY: the women doing it for themselves
• First double portrait of Princes unveiled