Secret Tory backers named

Mr Cameron hopes for more transparency in the future

Saturday, 14, Oct 2006 12:00

A group of wealthy business leaders who donate large sums to the Conservative party has bowed to pressure and named its 22 members.

The Midlands Industrial Council (MIC) has said it hopes to end speculation by publishing the "exhaustive list".

It had faced criticism from those within the Labour party for its anonymous donations, set against the backdrop of the cash for honours police investigation.

One of the donors named, Robert Edmiston, had already been questioned by police after his £2 million loan at the last general election was converted into a donation.

But MIC secretary David Wall said that the MIC and its members, who also include JCB chairman Sir Anthony Bamford, are complicit with the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act.

"Following two weeks of consultation with members, and while we are under no legal obligations to do so, in the interests of transparency, the council has decided to issue a list of its members," he said.

Mr Wall explained that those who did not agree to being named would have been asked to leave the MIC.

A spokesperson for the Tories today commented: "David Cameron strongly supports the move towards greater transparency and we warmly welcome the decision by the MIC to publish its list of members. We hope for continued transparency in the future."