Tycoon's record £6m charity gift

Former US President Bill Clinton last night helped children's charity the NSPCC celebrate a record-breaking £6m donation, made by the founder of a controversial compensation claims company.

Mr Clinton, a guest of honour at a fund-raising dinner in aid of the charity's Full Stop campaign, praised its work on child cruelty, which has been given a financial boost by businessman Mark Langford's generosity.

The donation by Mr Langford, founder and chairman of Manchester-based insurance company The Accident Group, is the largest ever to the NSPCC, and is thought to be the highest-ever amount given in the UK for a social cause.

Mr Clinton, speaking before the event held in Knowsley Hall, Liverpool, spoke of the "vital importance" of protecting children around the world.

"The NSPCC is an outstanding beacon of hope for children in the UK. Full Stop has an extraordinary mission – to bring the suffering of child abuse to an end," he said.

The Accident Group, which has cornered 25 per cent of the market in personal injury insurance and trebled its turnover in 12 months to £243m, has been accused of having an aggressive sales approach, and encouraging the growth of a compensation culture. Mr Langford has dismissed such claims as being made by insurers with a vested interest in undermining the growing industry.

Unperturbed by controversy surrounding the benefactor, the chairman of the Full Stop appeal, the Duke of York, thanked Mr Langford and his wife Debbie for the donation.

He said: "Children for generations to come will never know Mark and Debbie, but they will have them to thank for helping them live safer and happier lives.

"I, everyone at the NSPCC and all the children we help thank them most sincerely."

Mr Clinton and the Duke joined around 850 guests, including entertainers Cilla Black and Tom O'Connor, at the black-tie winter ball.