The full extent of controversial Tory Lord Ashcroft's plan to buy the election has been revealed in figures showing a £6million cash injection for target seats. Belize-based Michael Ashcroft, who refuses to say if he pays tax in Britain, is helping the Tories plough millions into campaigns in swing constituencies. The peer has given the party over £5million since 2003 through a firm called Bearwood Corporate Services.
The new figures show that £1.1million was sent directly to 56 marginals from Conservative headquarters, where deputy chairman Lord Ashcroft holds the purse strings, while £5million was raised locally by Tory activists. In Harlow, where Labour have a tiny majority, local Tories received £121,800 for their campaigning.
Donations through Bearwood have been under investigation by the Electoral Commission since 2008.
Source: Daily Mirror
