News from Labour Matters

Questions remain over the Conservatives’ largest donor’s UK residency

William Hague’s assertion on The Andrew Marr Show this morning that Lord Ashcroft is now a UK resident would do well to remember similar claims made by the Conservatives’ largest donor.

In 1990, when he was made a life peer, he told The Times that he recognised the public concern about foreign funding of British politics, and that he intends to reorganise his affairs in order to return to live in Britain. But he didn’t. We know that because David Cameron last year was apparently still in the dark, saying: “I can’t tell you about where Lord Ashcroft votes, I don’t know that, you can ask him and I’m sure he will explain that to you.”

Labour’s Denis MacShane MP said:

“William Hague’s assertion that the Tories’ biggest backer is now, finally, resident in the UK raises more questions than it answers. For many years Lord Ashcroft been donating to the Tories through his companies but for how long has he been eligible to do it in his own name?

“Lord Ashcroft appears to be having a huge influence over the Conservatives’ election campaign and foreign policy. David Cameron needs to demonstrate transparency by revealing when Lord Ashcroft became resident.”

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