Probe launched over Hunt flats deal
AN INQUIRY has been launched into Jeremy Hunt after he admitted breaking money-laundering laws on seven flats he bought from a Tory donor.
And it was claimed last night that the Health Secretary had received a ‘bulk discount’ in his deal with the property developer, who is said to be a ‘long-standing acquaintance’.
Last week it emerged that Mr Hunt had set up a company in September, Mare Pond Properties, to buy the luxury seaside flats in a block in Southampton, but failed to register it with Companies House – an offence under moneylaundering legislation that can lead to up to two years in prison.
He also failed to disclose his 50 per cent stake in Mare Pond Properties on the parliamentary register of members’ financial interests within the specified 28 days – taking six months to do so. Mr Hunt apologised and claimed the omissions were the results of ‘honest administrative mistakes’ and that he did not make any financial gain as a result.
But Labour said his actions represented a serious breach of parliamentary rules and on Friday referred him to Kathryn Stone, Parliament’s commissioner for standards, which confirmed last night that Mr Hunt is now under investigation.
Each of the flats in the Alexandra Wharf block is thought to be worth between £450,000 and £1million, and were developed by Nicolas James Group, a property firm owned and chaired by businessman and Tory donor Nicolas James Roach. However, last night The Guardian claimed a source close to the Health Secretary said he had received a ‘bulk discount’ for buying multiple apartments.
A spokesman for Mr Hunt said: ‘The owner of the development is a long- standing acquaintance. Jeremy paid standard market rates which would have been available to anyone else making an equivalent purchase.’
A spokesman for Mr Roach said the sale of properties at Alexandra Wharf were made at ‘open market value’.
Mr Roach has donated more than £50,000 to Mr Hunt’s South West Surrey constituency office since 2011, mostly in the form of complimentary venue hire. The pair were pictured together in 2011 at a party to launch a £60million hotel in Guildford, Surrey, that was developed by Mr Roach’s company.
A Downing Street spokesman said Theresa May regarded the matter as closed.