US election: Mitt Romney challenges Harry Reid to 'put up or shut up'

Mitt Romney ordered Harry Reid, one of America's most powerful Democrats, to "put up or shut up" after he was accused of being scared to publish his tax returns because he avoided paying any for a decade.

The Republican presidential candidate accused Harry Reid, the Senate majority leader, of conspiring with Obama's White House. Mr Reid claims that an investor in Bain Capital, the private equity firm where Mr Romney made his fortune, had explained the candidate's reluctance to disclose tax returns predating 2010.

"'Harry, he didn't pay any taxes for 10 years'," Mr Reid said the source had told him. "Now, do I know that that's true? Well, I'm not certain,". "But obviously he can't release those tax returns. How would it look?"
3rd August 2012