‘Questions are now likely to be asked about whether any demands made by donors have worked their way into government policy — a charge that ministers strongly deny.
‘Questions are now likely to be asked about whether any demands made by donors have worked their way into government policy — a charge that ministers strongly deny. Was the Chancellor’s resolve to block a Europe-wide financial transaction tax hardened by the threat by [Michael] Spencer to move his broking giant ICAP abroad if the policy was introduced?
‘Mr Spencer, a former party treasurer who has given more than £3.8m to the Conservatives personally and through business since Mr Cameron became leader, said the move would “destroy the City”. A month later, in September, George Osborne said the “Tobin tax” would put the City’s position as a world leader at risk and vowed to block it. The Chancellor would insist he had always held the view.’
‘One of the major Tory donors entertained by David Cameron at both Downing Street and Chequers boasted that he had been told by key figures in the government that a proposed financial transaction tax would be vetoed by ministers.
‘When Michael Spencer was asked if he thought the Coalition would agree to the Europe-wide levy, he said he had been told “first-hand from very, very senior members” of the government that it would be “vetoed without any doubt”. Asked to name his sources, he said: “I’m not comfortable telling you who I speak to in private.”
‘His comments to Risk magazine in January will be seen in a new light after Downing Street disclosed that he and his partner, Sarah, Marchioness of Milford Haven, dined in private with the Prime Minister at No 10 last month.’
‘Questions are now likely to be asked about whether any demands made by donors have worked their way into government policy — a charge that ministers strongly deny.
‘Questions are now likely to be asked about whether any demands made by donors have worked their way into government policy — a charge that ministers strongly deny. Was the Chancellor’s resolve to block a Europe-wide financial transaction tax hardened by the threat by [Michael] Spencer to move his broking giant ICAP abroad if the policy was introduced?
‘Mr Spencer, a former party treasurer who has given more than £3.8m to the Conservatives personally and through business since Mr Cameron became leader, said the move would “destroy the City”. A month later, in September, George Osborne said the “Tobin tax” would put the City’s position as a world leader at risk and vowed to block it. The Chancellor would insist he had always held the view.’
‘One of the major Tory donors entertained by David Cameron at both Downing Street and Chequers boasted that he had been told by key figures in the government that a proposed financial transaction tax would be vetoed by ministers.
‘When Michael Spencer was asked if he thought the Coalition would agree to the Europe-wide levy, he said he had been told “first-hand from very, very senior members” of the government that it would be “vetoed without any doubt”. Asked to name his sources, he said: “I’m not comfortable telling you who I speak to in private.”
‘His comments to Risk magazine in January will be seen in a new light after Downing Street disclosed that he and his partner, Sarah, Marchioness of Milford Haven, dined in private with the Prime Minister at No 10 last month.’
