Sports minister, her husband and calls of foul play

Sports minister Helen Grant, who became the tory party’s first black woman Mp when she was elected in 2010, was brought up by a white single mother on a Carlisle council estate.

A member of the A-list set up by David Cameron to parachute more women and ethnic minorities into winnable seats, her victory in Maidstone and the Weald was a breakthrough in the party’s attempt to modernise its appeal.

she was fast- tracked into ministerial office, though as equalities minister she was not trusted to take the gay marriage Bill through the Commons.

the judo black belt, who is also the tories’ first woman sports minister, was criticised three years ago by parliament’s watchdog for giving her three staff members only two weeks’ sick pay — rather than the standard 26 weeks.

the situation came to light when tony Williams, who was Mrs Grant’s constituency assistant, had a heart operation and realised his contract entitled him to only a fortnight off in paid leave.

Helen Grant’s embarrassment deepened when it emerged that it was her husband simon — who also worked for her — who organised the contracts for some of her staff, but kept the standard six months for himself. Mr Grant resigned from his wife’s office in November 2012 and issued an abject apology.

But what’s this — do the Grants have no shame? the latest register of Mps’ interests shows Mr Grant is back on the taxpayer-funded payroll. ‘I employ my husband simon as senior parliamentary assistant,’ says Grant’s entry. It’s enough to make taxpayers feel ill — just don’t ask for more than two weeks off!