Republicans in strip club row

The chairman of the Republican National Committee, Michael Steele, was under pressure last night after it emerged that the committee signed off a bill for $1,949 (£1,300) spent at a Hollywood club that features topless dancers and bondage outfits.

Mr Steele, whose spending decisions have angered some donors, had nothing to do with the event at the Voyeur West Hollywood. A spokesman said the RNC will be reimbursed by donor Erik Brown, who billed the committee for the sum last month.

He added that the RNC did not know how the money was spent, or who attended the “unauthorised and inappropriate” event.