- Menzies denies allegations, accused of demanding funds at 3:15 a.m
- Tories warned Menzies’ fund use might constitute fraud
- Police reviewing information after Labour’s request for investigation
The Lancashire representative for Fylde, Mr. Menzies, refutes the accusations levied against him. At 3:15 a.m., the former Conservative reportedly called a former staff member and demanded thousands of pounds to pay “bad people.”
The Conservatives were cautioned that the purported misuse of party funds by former MP Mark Menzies might have constituted fraud; however, the whistleblower was not obligated to disclose the matter.
Lancashire’s Mr. Menzies resigned as Tory whip following allegations in The Times that he misappropriated party funds. He refutes the accusations.
Katie Fieldhouse, the former campaign manager for Mr. Menzies, disclosed the allegations to the newspaper.
Ms. Fieldhouse, 78, asserts in a new interview with The Times this evening that she was informed the Conservative Party was cognizant of the potentially criminal nature of the allegations.
According to her, the Conservative Party’s chief of staff “informed me that they had consulted with solicitors when they initially assumed control of the investigation [from the Whips’ Office].”
“The solicitor said it is fraud, but you are not obligated to report it because it is not Conservative Party money,” he told her over the phone.
As donors’ funds and not the party’s, the decision not to inform the police was explained to the whistleblower, who claimed she was informed of this.
A Conservative spokesperson stated that the party has been investigating the allegations for the past few months.
We will certainly comply with any police request to disclose information that they deem pertinent to an investigation they choose to conduct.
It is beyond dispute that the party has not conducted a thorough investigation into this matter, refuting any reasonable doubt.
Today, Lancashire Police stated that it was “reviewing” information regarding Mr. Menzies in response to a request from Labour for an investigation.
The force issued the following statement: “We can confirm that we have received a letter outlining concerns regarding this matter, and we are currently conducting a thorough review of the available information.
According to reports, the party’s senior whip, Simon Hart, was allegedly informed of the allegations in January, when the former campaign manager disclosed the details.
Since the initial allegations were made, Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ) has been conducting an investigation. However, this week, additional information surfaced, prompting Mr. Hart to take immediate action.
Anneliese Dodds, chair of the Labour Party, stated tonight, “The chairman and chief whip of the Conservative Party must immediately emerge from hiding and provide an account of their knowledge and the advice they received.”
This would be indefensible if, as reported, they or Conservative officials were informed of potentially fraudulent activity but chose not to contact the authorities.
It has been reported that at 3:15 a.m. last December, Mr. Menzies, an MP since May 2010, called his 78-year-old former campaign manager, informing him that he was reportedly confined to a flat by “bad people” and required £5,000 immediately, citing “life and death” circumstances.
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According to the newspaper, the £6,500 was ultimately disbursed by his office manager from her personal bank account. She was then reimbursed with funds collected from benefactors in an account titled Fylde Westminster Group.
“I am feeling dreadful because I am a devout Conservative, and as I have told everyone else, I reported his actions to the chief whip,” Ms. Fieldhouse said. At present, the date is April midday.
Deduce your conclusions regarding the current situation.
When queried about her dissatisfaction with how the complaint was being addressed, she responded, “Yes.”
Mr. Menzies stated on Thursday, “I dispute the allegations against me vehemently.” I have complied in their entirety with all declaration regulations. Due to the ongoing investigation, I will refrain from providing any further commentary.
