Tory housing scandal: Johnson accused of ‘corrupt government’
Minister inflames home scheme row
A MINISTER has appeared to admit that the rich can buy access to decisionmakers by attending Tory fundraisers.
Business supremo Nadhim Zahawi told the BBC: “They will be sitting next to MPs and other people in their local authorities and can interact with parts of the authority.”
His words stoked the “cash for access” row involving Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick, with PM Boris Johnson coming under attack for standing by him and repeatedly declaring the matter “closed” yesterday.
But the PM was accused of leading a government based on “sleaze and corruption”.
Shadow Housing Secretary Steve Reed blasted: “Nadhim Zahawi just told voters who want the same access to ministers as billionaires they can buy tickets to Tory fundraisers.” Ex-Lib
Dem leader Tim Farron added last night: “It seems the Tory Party commitment to ‘levelling up’ amounts to sleaze and corruption.”
Mr Jenrick has been under fire after seeming to admit rushing through an approval to help billionaire Tory donor Richard Desmond cut the tax on a homes project in East London.
Mr Jenrick, who had earlier met Mr Desmond at a fundraiser, later quashed his own approval, admitting that the decision was “unlawful” due to “apparent bias”.
They’d be sitting next to MPs and other people in their local authority. People can act with different parts of that authority
BUSINESS MINISTER NADHIM ZAHAWI ON TORY FUNDRAISERS
Nadhim Zahawi just told voters who want the same access to Tory ministers as billionaires they can buy tickets to Tory fundraisers
SHADOW HOUSING SECRETARY STEVE REED YESTERDAY