This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-68851004

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Tory response to MP Mark Menzies allegations appalling, says activist Tory response to MP Mark Menzies allegations appalling, says activist
(32 minutes later)
The Tory activist allegedly called by an MP in the early hours of the morning asking for money has told the BBC she is "appalled" by the party's response.The Tory activist allegedly called by an MP in the early hours of the morning asking for money has told the BBC she is "appalled" by the party's response.
Katie Fieldhouse says Mark Menzies rang her at 03.15 BST one December morning asking for £5,000 to pay "bad people". Katie Fieldhouse says Mark Menzies rang her at 03.15 GMT one December morning asking for £5,000 to pay "bad people".
Police are investigating Mr Menzies, who has been suspended by the Tories, over claims he misused party funds. Mr Menzies is understood to have been referred to police and suspended by the Tories over claims he misused funds.
He told the paper he "strongly" disputes the allegations, first published in the Times.He told the paper he "strongly" disputes the allegations, first published in the Times.
The BBC has approached Mr Menzies several times but he has not responded.The BBC has approached Mr Menzies several times but he has not responded.
Tory MP suspended over alleged misuse of fundsTory MP suspended over alleged misuse of funds
Labour Party chairwoman Anneliese Dodds has written to Lancashire Police calling on the force to investigate allegations against Mr Menzies. Speaking through tears, lifelong Tory activist Ms Fieldhouse recounted the conversation she says she had with Fylde MP Mr Menzies in December of last year.
The Conservatives have also started an internal investigation after a complaint was made. At her home in St Anne's, Lancashire, she told the BBC, Mr Menzies told her: "I've got in with some bad people and they've got me locked in a flat and they won't let me out until I pay them £5,000."
Speaking through tears at her home in St Anne's, Lancashire, the lifelong Tory activist Ms Fieldhouse recounted the conversation she says she had with Fylde MP Mr Menzies in December of last year.
She told the BBC: "He said: 'I've got in with some bad people and they've got me locked in a flat and they won't let me out until I pay them £5,000'.
"I said 'I beg your pardon'. He said 'it's life or death Katie, I need £5,000 from the account'.""I said 'I beg your pardon'. He said 'it's life or death Katie, I need £5,000 from the account'."
Ms Fieldhouse said she would not lend Mr Menzies money but claimed another activist did from their personal savings. Mark Menzies has been the MP for Fylde since 2010
According to the Times, the sum was reportedly paid later that morning, by which time it had risen to £6,500, from the personal savings of another local activist, who was reimbursed from campaign donations. Ms Fieldhouse said she refused to pay Mr Menzies, but claimed another activist used their personal savings to give him the money.
Mr Menzies offered to repay the funds but claimed local Tories who controlled the account the money came from said he didn't need to, a source told the paper. According to the Times, the activist eventually ended up paying £6,500 and was later reimbursed from campaign donations.
'Faith' A source told the paper Mr Menzies offered to repay the funds but claimed local Tories controlling the campaign account said repayment was unnecessary.
Speaking to the BBC, Ms Fieldhouse says she raised her concerns with the Chief Whip Simon Hart after further discussion of money involving Mr Menzies. It is understood that Labour Party chairwoman Anneliese Dodds has written to Lancashire Police calling on the force to investigate allegations against Mr Menzies.
She said Mr Hart had listened to her story and that the Conservatives started an investigation. The Conservative Party is also running an internal investigation.
She became frustrated with the way the Conservative Party dealt with the complaint. 'Brushed under the carpet'
"I put my faith completely in the party... nothing happened - I heard nothing... I am appalled." The BBC did not initially name Ms Fieldhouse but she has now agreed to be named and speak publicly for the first time.
She said her family had been loyal Conservatives for generations. Ms Fieldhouse told the BBC she raised her concerns with the Conservative Chief Whip Simon Hart after discussing money with Mr Menzies again.
Although the Conservative Party started an investigation, Ms Fieldhouse said she was left "appalled" by the inaction.
The Times reported that the scandal was reported to the Mr Hart back in January. Since her report "nothing happened" Ms Fieldhouse said.
"I put my faith completely in the party," but the "party has let me down," she told the BBC.
She said: "I am not having this brushed under the carpet.
"The party has been part of my life, I've run every election campaign here for 40 years."The party has been part of my life, I've run every election campaign here for 40 years.
"I work myself into the ground for the party - all they hear is a 78-year-old little old lady.""I work myself into the ground for the party - all they hear is a 78-year-old little old lady."
She added: "I am not having this brushed under the carpet." The Liberal Democrats have called on the prime minister's independent ethics adviser Laurie Magnus to launch an investigation into whether Mr Hart broke the ministerial code over failing to act earlier.
"The party has let me down. I have said; my faith in the party is like my faith in God... they've let me down. The Tories had selected Mr Menzies to run again in his safe seat with a 16,611 majority, but Ms Fieldhouse wants him to resign.
"I watch people go for a walk in this quiet area. Do I want them to go out and vote for a man who gets himself locked up and needs money to get him out? No.""I watch people go for a walk in this quiet area. Do I want them to go out and vote for a man who gets himself locked up and needs money to get him out? No."
The Times reported that the scandal was reported to the Mr Hart back in January.
The Liberal Democrats have called on the prime minister's independent adviser on ethics adviser Laurie Magnus to launch an investigation into whether Mr Hart broke the ministerial code over failing to act earlier.
Mr Menzies had been chosen as the Tory candidate for the seat at the next election, where he has a majority of 16,611.
Ms Fieldhouse called for him to quit Parliament at the next election.
"If he falls on his sword... go away and start afresh. That's what I would like to happen.""If he falls on his sword... go away and start afresh. That's what I would like to happen."
The BBC did not initially name her but she has now agreed to be named and speak publicly.
The Labour leader asks why the Conservative Party "took so long to act" on allegations about an MP from December.The Labour leader asks why the Conservative Party "took so long to act" on allegations about an MP from December.
The Labour leader asks why the Conservative Party "took so long to act" on allegations about an MP from December.The Labour leader asks why the Conservative Party "took so long to act" on allegations about an MP from December.
Responding to the reports published in the Times, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: "There are obviously a lot of unanswered questions in relation to these allegations. The Times also reported Mr Menzies used £14,000 from campaign funds to pay his personal medical bills - in several payments stretching back four years.
"Not least why it seems the Conservative Party took so long to act and whether they've reported this to the police, who it seems to me should be involved in this." A source close to Mr Menzies disputed the claim that he had suggested using campaign funds to pay his medical bills, the paper reported. The money has not yet been repaid, according to the Times.
In a statement, Lancashire Police said: "We are aware of reports in the media relating to a serving Member of Parliament. No complaint has been made to the police at this stage.
"We will make contact with those impacted in due course to see whether they wish to make a complaint."
The Times also reported Mr Menzies used a total of £14,000 - in several payments stretching back four years - from campaign funds to pay his personal medical bills.
A source close to Mr Menzies disputed the claim that it had been the MP's suggestion to use campaign funds to pay his medical bills, the paper reported, but the Times says the money was not repaid.
In a statement to the Times, Mr Menzies said: "I strongly dispute the allegations put to me. I have fully complied with all the rules for declarations.In a statement to the Times, Mr Menzies said: "I strongly dispute the allegations put to me. I have fully complied with all the rules for declarations.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he could not "comment on an investigation" into Mr Menzies "while it is happening".
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the Conservative Party had "lots of questions" to answer including why it "took so long to act and whether they've reported this to the police, who it seems to me should be involved in this".
A Conservative Party spokesman said the "party takes all allegations seriously and will always investigate any matters put to them" and is "investigating allegations made regarding a Member of Parliament".
"This process is rightfully confidential," the spokesman added.
Who is Mark Menzies?Who is Mark Menzies?
Mr Menzies has been an MP since 2010 but has never been a government minister.Mr Menzies has been an MP since 2010 but has never been a government minister.
He grew up in Ayrshire in Scotland, where he was raised by his mother after his father, who worked in the Merchant Navy, died the month before he was born.He grew up in Ayrshire in Scotland, where he was raised by his mother after his father, who worked in the Merchant Navy, died the month before he was born.
He attended a private secondary school under the assisted places scheme, which offered subsidised places at fee-paying schools, before studying economic and social history at Glasgow University.He attended a private secondary school under the assisted places scheme, which offered subsidised places at fee-paying schools, before studying economic and social history at Glasgow University.
A Tory activist since the age of 16, he had a career in retail before entering politics and was a graduate trainee at supermarket chain Marks & Spencer.A Tory activist since the age of 16, he had a career in retail before entering politics and was a graduate trainee at supermarket chain Marks & Spencer.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
Mark MenziesMark Menzies
Conservative PartyConservative Party