Tory MP Mark Menzies loses whip over alleged misuse of funds

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An MP from the UK's Conservative party has been temporarily banned from the parliamentary group while inquiries are conducted into claims of improper use of campaign finances.

The Times newspaper has reported that Mark Menzies, who is the Member of Parliament for Fylde and also works for the government as a trade envoy, is being accused of spending thousands of pounds of donated funds on medical expenses and unusual personal items. However, Menzies has denied these allegations.

According to the newspaper, in December of the previous year, Menzies supposedly contacted a party volunteer who was 78 years old. He called them at 3:15 in the morning and asked for £5,000 from the party's funds. Menzies claimed that he needed the money to be released from being imprisoned by "bad individuals." He also stated that it was an urgent matter and that his life was at risk.

According to The Times, it was alleged that another assistant, who held the role of Menzies' constituency office manager for a long time, withdrew funds from her Isa the next day to provide the requested amount of £6,500. She received a refund from donations made by local supporters.

On Wednesday evening, a representative from the Conservative party affirmed that they were examining the accusations made against Menzies and regarded them as significant. They also stated that the procedures were being handled confidentially, as is appropriate.

According to the spokesperson of Chief Whip Simon Hart, the MP has decided to surrender the Conservative whip while the investigation takes place. This entails that the MP will only be sitting as an independent until further notice.

Menzies has made a statement to The Times denying the accusations against him. He has declared that he has followed all the necessary regulations regarding declarations. As the inquiry is still in progress, he will not be providing additional statements.

The latest controversy has caused Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to have another MP leave the Tory party. Just a few weeks ago, William Wragg had decided to relinquish his party position due to his connection with a honeytrap scandal in Westminster.

The Conservative group has faced defeat in 10 parliamentary seats during by-elections that have taken place post the 2019 general election. Moreover, a fresh by-election is going to be held on May 2 since the ex-Tory member of parliament Scott Benton stepped down from office. The step was taken after he got caught in a trap laid by a journalist who offered him paid lobbying work but claimed to do it on behalf of a bogus betting organization.

Menzies has served as a Member of Parliament for his Lancashire constituency since 2010. Additionally, at the age of 52, he holds the position of the United Kingdom's trade envoy to Colombia, Chile, Peru, and Argentina on behalf of the Prime Minister.

Back in 2014, he stepped down from his role as a ministerial assistant after facing accusations made by a male escort from Brazil.

According to The Times, donors contributed £14,000 to support local Tory party campaign initiatives, but instead of using the money for its intended purpose, Menzies deposited it into his personal bank account and spent it on his own medical expenses.

Last December, the volunteer received a call in the morning. The cause of the call was Menzies' activities. Menzies had gone to the home of someone he met on an online dating site. Afterward, he went to the home of another person and had alcohol which made him feel unwell. This information was reported.

According to an insider quoted by The Times, Menzies was instructed to hand over £5,000 for cleaning and other costs. Despite being afraid, he agreed to fulfill the demand. However, he did not have the necessary funds to pay for it himself.

Daisy Cooper, who is the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats, addressed accusations made in The Times that the Conservative Party had known about the allegations for over three months but had failed to take appropriate measures. She described this inaction as "completely unacceptable."

She expressed her worry regarding the current state of national security, as it has to deal with various threats. Moreover, she finds it alarming that some MPs are susceptible to falling into traps and being manipulated.

The Financial Times has made an effort to contact Menzies to give their input.