POLICE say they are “reviewing” a letter in relation to allegations against Fylde MP Mark Menzies, who is accused of misusing campaign funds.
Menzies lost the Conservative whip and was suspended as one of Rishi Sunak’s trade envoys after The Times published claims he had used political donations to cover medical expenses and pay off “bad people” who had locked him in a flat and demanded thousands of pounds for his release.
Menzies disputes the allegations and the Tory Party has said it is looking into the claims and takes them seriously.
READ MORE: Mark Menzies - Meet the Scottish MP who's lost the Tory whip
In a statement on Friday evening, a Lancashire Police spokesperson 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.”
It comes after the Conservative Party and Chief Whip’s handling of allegations that Menzies misused campaign funds came under fire, with an activist who was allegedly asked for money saying she was “appalled” by their response.
Labour said the Tories “sat on their hands” for more than three months after finding out about the claims, while the LibDems called for the Prime Minister’s independent adviser on ministers’ interests to investigate the handling of the row.
Menzies’s former campaign manager who allegedly received a late-night phone call from him asking for cash has said she felt “let down” by the party after she raised concerns with Chief Whip Simon Hart.
Menzies is said to have called 78-year-old Katie Fieldhouse at 3.15am one day in December, claiming he was locked in a flat and needed £5,000 as a matter of “life and death”.
The sum, which rose to £6,500, was eventually paid by his office manager from her personal bank account and subsequently reimbursed from funds raised from donors in an account named Fylde Westminster Group, it is alleged.
The Times also reported that £14,000 that was given by donors for Tory campaign activities was transferred to Menzies’s personal bank accounts and used for private medical expenses.
Fieldhouse said she became frustrated with the way the Conservative Party handled her complaint after she reported her concerns to Hart in January.
READ MORE: Mark Menzies and the curious case of the Tories' vanishing majority
“I put my faith completely in the party … nothing happened – I heard nothing … I am appalled,” she told the BBC.
“I work myself into the ground for the party – all they hear is a 78-year-old little old lady.
“The party has let me down.”
In a statement to The Times, Menzies said: “I strongly dispute the allegations put to me. I have fully complied with all the rules for declarations. As there is an investigation ongoing I will not be commenting further.”
A Conservative Party spokesman said: “The Conservative Party is investigating allegations made regarding a Member of Parliament. This process is rightfully confidential.
“The party takes all allegations seriously and will always investigate any matters put to them.”
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