Police say they’re reviewing “data” about former Conservative MP Mark Menzies after Labour requested for an investigation into claims he misused celebration funds.
Labour Get together chair Anneliese Dodds wrote to Lancashire Police asking for an inquiry after The Instances reported he had made a late-night cellphone name to an aide asking for funds to repay “unhealthy folks”.
Mr Menzies informed the paper he contests the allegations in opposition to him.
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Mark Menzies, the MP for Fylde. Pic: UK Parliament
In a press release, Lancashire Police mentioned: “We will affirm that we have now now acquired a letter detailing issues round this matter and we’re within the strategy of reviewing the out there data in additional element.”
Mr Menzies misplaced the Conservative Get together whip in Westminster following the experiences on Wednesday night, whereas the celebration investigates the claims.
Shedding the whip means Mr Menzies is not a member of the Conservative parliamentary celebration and can sit as an impartial MP, reasonably than a Tory MP, within the Home of Commons.
A Conservative spokesperson mentioned: “The celebration is conducting an investigation into the claims made and has been doing so for a number of months.
“We’ll after all share any data with the police in the event that they imagine it might be useful to any investigation they resolve to undertake. Strategies the celebration has not been critically analyzing this matter are demonstrably false.”
Within the letter to Lancashire Police, the Labour Get together chair is known to have mentioned Tory chief whip, celebration whip’s workplace, and headquarters could have data that would help with an investigation.
The letter additionally argues there’s a clear public curiosity within the matter being investigated by officers to make sure public confidence in politicians.
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Mel Stride, the federal government’s work and pensions secretary, informed Sky Information this morning the matter was being “totally investigated”.
“Conservative HQ is trying now very carefully into the circumstances across the numerous experiences which were made, and the whip has been faraway from Mark Menzies within the meantime,” he added.
Labour shadow minister Matthew Pennycook informed Sky Information: “There are a sequence of questions on whether or not an offence has been dedicated in relation to fraud by false illustration or misconduct in public workplace.
“They’re fairly severe allegations. It is proper that the police examine.”
Requested concerning the matter this morning, Rishi Sunak mentioned: “It is proper that Mark Menzies has resigned the Conservative whip. He is been suspended from his place as a commerce envoy while the investigations into these allegations proceed.
“For our half, I can not touch upon our ongoing investigation whereas it is occurring, and he is not a Conservative MP.”
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Chatting with the Electoral Dysfunction podcast, Tory peer Ruth Davidson reckoned Mr Menzies wouldn’t final the week as a MP.
In a press release to The Instances, Mr Menzies mentioned: “I strongly dispute the allegations put to me. I’ve totally complied with all the principles for declarations. As there’s an investigation ongoing I cannot be commenting additional.”
![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://livdose.com/police-reviewing-data-about-ex-tory-mp-mark-menzies-after-alleged-misuse-of-funds-politics-information/&media=https://i0.wp.com/e3.365dm.com/24/04/1600x900/skynews-lancashire-police-constabulary_6526833.jpg?20240419182303&w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1&description=In a statement, Lancashire Police said: "We can confirm that we have now received a letter detailing concerns around this matter and we are in the process of reviewing the available information in more detail." Mr Menzies has denied the allegations against him.){kind=link}