A Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) has been stripped of his whip following accusations of misusing campaign funds and pressuring an aide to pay off unspecified individuals late at night.
Mark Menzies, aged 52, was suspended from the Conservative parliamentary party as inquiries into the allegations began.
The move came after the claims surfaced in a report by The Times. Meanwhile, the Labour Party has reached out to the Conservatives, inquiring whether the matter has been reported to the police for investigation.
Grant Shapps, the Defense Secretary, said the party was in the know “for a while” but “further information came to light yesterday”.
“I understand that [Conservative Campaign Headquarters] CCHQ has been aware of it for a while and has been investigating, and I think some new investigation has come to light subsequently.”
Grant Shapps
Menzies refutes the accusations, asserting that he has diligently adhered to all regulations regarding financial disclosures.
This incident marks the most recent in a series of alleged misconduct controversies affecting the Conservative Party.
Just weeks ago, William Wragg, another MP who has been stripped of the Tory whip, claimed he provided personal contact information of his colleagues to someone who possessed compromising material about him.
According to reports, Menzies allegedly contacted his former campaign manager at 3:15 am one December night, claiming he was confined in a flat by individuals he referred to as “bad people” and urgently required £5,000. He said it was a matter of “life and death.”
Hours later, Menzies’ campaign manager paid him the sum, which had risen to £6,500, from her personal savings. However, she was reimbursed from campaign donations.
A source close to Menzies said Menzies asked for the money after meeting a man he met on a dating website. The source said Menzies had gone to the man’s flat, before going with another man to a second address, where he continued drinking.
According to the given account, individuals at the address falsely asserted that Menzies had fallen ill and insisted on receiving £5,000 to cover cleaning expenses and other related costs.
In a statement, Menzies said, “I strongly dispute the allegations put to me. I have fully complied with all the rules for declarations. As there is an investigation ongoing I will not be commenting further.”
Dodds’ Inquiry Highlights Concerns over Alleged Inaction
Anneliese Dodds, the Labour Party chair, wrote on Thursday, April 18 to the Conservative Party chair, Richard Holden, questioning what she said was an apparent lack of action concerning the “disturbing” allegations.
She wrote in a letter “The Conservative party has reportedly been aware of these serious accusations for over three months. What action was taken, by whom, and when?”
Dodds proceeded to inquire about several other matters, including whether the CCHQ had recommended that those implicated reach out to law enforcement, and whether the party had itself reported the incident at this juncture.
“These are deeply troubling allegations. Rishi Sunak and the Conservative party have serious questions to answer about whether funds have been misused and why no action has been taken despite the allegations reportedly being known about since January.”
Anneliese Dodds
A Tory party spokesperson said, “The Conservative party is investigating allegations made regarding a member of parliament. This process is rightfully confidential.”
The spokesperson said the party takes all allegations seriously and will always investigate any matters brought to its attention.
The Liberal Democrats deputy leader, Daisy Cooper, said it was “frankly appalling” that the Conservative party had been aware of the allegations for more than three months.
“When our national security faces threats on many fronts, it is deeply concerning that some MPs are so open to traps, threats and manipulations.”
Daisy Cooper
A decade ago, Menzies quit as a ministerial aide after allegations about his behaviour by a Brazilian male escort.
