A Mirror investigation found the same donors handed almost £200,000 in cash to a string of Tory candidates in marginal seats, largely held by Labour MPs or Brexit rebels. As Boris Johnson proclaims his administration “the People’s Government”, the figures reveal a co-ordinated fighting fund for Tory candidates to run slick campaigns and produce literature - much of it bankrolled by aristocrats and bankers. They also targeted Bassetlaw, the seat previously held by ex-Labour MP John Mann - now an independent peer in the House of Lords - pumping £3,000 into new Tory MP Shaun Bailey’s campaign. Dudley North MP Marco Longhi was given £7,500 by the Leamington Fund and £5,000 by Stalbury Trustees. North and Midlands total: £49,000National total: £66,500Tony Endfield/RaywareTony Endfield is joint owner and Managing Director of Liverpool-based kitchenware firm Rayware.

Source: Daily Mirror February 25, 2020 22:01 UTC