Conservatives turn to Israeli art mogul

EHUD SHELEG, an Israeli-born businessman, is expected to be appointed treasurer of the Conservative Party.

Mr Sheleg, who is director of the Halcyon Gallery in Mayfair, is to be handed the role of increasing donations made to the party.

Sir Mick Davis, Conservative chief executive, had previously also worked as treasurer — but the role is expected to now be split, with fund-raising handled by Mr Sheleg, who is known as ‘Udi’.

In January 2017 the art expert and collector registered his first donation to the Conservative Party when he gave £50,000. Last May, ahead of the general election, he donated a further £500,000 to the party.

The Halcyon Gallery was last year behind plans to erect a sculpture “dedicated to Mother Nature” in London’s Trafalgar Square.

As chief executive of the gallery, Mr Sheleg said the project, for which plans were submitted to Westminster Council, would be a “win, win, win situation” for the council, the public, and the Italian artist Lorenzo Quinn.

“People can go to museums and galleries to see art, but when it is immersed and embedded into public life the experience is enhanced,” said Mr Sheleg .

Sir Mick, former chair of the Jewish Leadership Council, was appointed chief executive of the Conservatives in June last year following the general election.

The Conservative Party said it did not comment on appointments.

Mr Sheleg donated £500,000 ahead of the election