MP calls for inquiry into Lord Ashcroft’s business interests in Mayfair Limited
Stephen Pound asks for investigation into claims the Tory party's deputy chairman has failed to register his interest in a Belize-based company in register of lords' interests
A Labour MP called today for an official investigation into the Conservative party’s deputy chairman and major donor Lord Ashcroft. Stephen Pound cited allegations that Ashcroft is director of a Belize-based company called Mayfair Limited, which is not recorded in his entry in the register of Lords’ interests.
Pound said he was writing to the registrar of Lords’ interests to ask for a probe, after initially raising the matter with the parliamentary standards commissioner, John Lyon, who deals only with allegations against MPs. The Ealing North MP said he wanted an investigation into reports that Ashcroft is “sole ultimate beneficial owner and sole director” of Mayfair Ltd but has “apparently failed” to register his interest in the company.
“I am concerned that Lord Ashcroft’s seeming failure to disclose all of his relevant business interests means he is not fully meeting his responsibilities under the Lords’ code of conduct,” said Pound. And he added: “As you may be aware Lord Ashcroft has frequently asked questions of ministers in the House of Lords which concern Belize and the Turks and Caicos Islands, which may or may not have an influence over Mayfair Ltd but in the interest of transparency it is right that the public are in full knowledge of the facts.”
Ashcroft is one of the Tories’ biggest donors, targeting much of his cash at marginal seats. Labour MPs have repeatedly called on the Conservative leader, David Cameron, to make clear whether the peer is resident in Britain for tax purposes.
A spokesman for Ashcroft said: “Mayfair Ltd is a holding company and doesn’t in itself trade so there are no registration requirements on Lord Ashcroft relating to that. “The company has subsidiaries, which he has registered as he is required to.” Source: Guardian UK
