THE Tories seem to have “sat on their hands” over claims MP Mark Menzies used political donations to pay off “bad people” who had locked him in a flat and demanded thousands of pounds for his release, Sir Keir Starmer said today.
The Labour leader’s comments came after an activist who was allegedly asked for money said she was “appalled” by the Conservatives’ response after reporting her concerns in January.
Fylde MP Mark Menzies lost the Conservative whip after the Times published claims he had used political donations to cover medical expenses and pay off “bad people.”
The MP’s former campaign manager Katie Fieldhouse has said she felt let down”by the party after Mr Menzies called her at 3.15am one day in December, claiming he was locked in a flat and needed £5,000 as a matter of “life and death.”
The sum, which rose to £6,500, was eventually paid by his office manager from her personal bank account and subsequently reimbursed from funds raised from donors in an account named Fylde Westminster Group, it is alleged.
It was also reported that £14,000 that was given by donors for Tory campaign activities was transferred to Mr Menzies’ personal bank accounts and used for private medical expenses.
Ms Fieldhouse, 78, said: “I put my faith completely in the party … nothing happened — I heard nothing. I am appalled.”
Sir Keir said: “In the last 24 hours we have found out that the government was told months ago about this, and they seem to have sat on their hands.
“If they thought they could sweep this under the carpet somehow they were obviously very mistaken and that is why I think there are very serious questions now that need to be answered. Not just by the individual, but also by the government on this.”
Mr Menzies, who has also been suspended as one of PM Rishi Sunak’s trade envoys, disputes the allegations as the Tory Party says it is looking into the claims and taking them seriously.
