BOSSES IN DEFENCE FIRM GRAB ARE TORY DONORS

TWO bosses at the predatory firm behind a hostile takeover bid for a defence giant are big Tory donors.

Turnaround specialist Melrose PLC has sparked fears of job losses with its £7.4billion offer for GKN, which supplies parts for the F-35 fighter jet. Opponents claim Melrose is an “asset stripper” and the bid has security implications, but ministers have yet to step in. It has now emerged execu-

GIFTS David Roper, left, and Christopher Miller of Melrose

tive vice chairman David Roper has donated £131,375 to the Tories since 2014 and executive chairman Christopher Miller has gifted £40,492 since 2008.

Unions questioned if PM Theresa May was putting money before workers.

Unite’s Len McClusky asked: “Where do your obligations lie? To a party propped up by a handful of super-rich donors, or to the honourable workers of this country?” Melrose said: “Melrose as a company makes no political donations.”

Representatives of Unite, Melrose and GKN will give evidence to the Commons Business Select Committee next month.

GKN, based in Redditch, Worcs, employs 6,000 people in the UK.