Daniel Martin Hugo Duncan Anger at Tories’ pro-EU business letter drummed up by Osborne ski trip hostess
THE Tories came under fire last night after it emerged a top party official has been cobbling together a letter from big business supporting David Cameron’s EU deal.
Bosses of major firms have been approached by the ‘in’ campaign to sign the open letter endorsing his agreement with European leaders on our relationship with Brussels.
The statement was being circulated to businesses even before the crunch two-day summit at which the Prime Minister hopes to finalise the deal.
Backbench MPs said this proved the agreement was ‘irrelevant’ and nothing more than ‘imaginary gruel’.
Bosses likely to be asked to sign include those at BAE Systems, BT and drinks giant Diageo.
Controversially, the enterprise has been overseen by Baroness Rock, the Tories’ vice chairwoman for business who has taken leave of absence to help the ‘in’ campaign. This is despite the promise given by Conservative central office that it would be strictly neutral in the European referendum debate.
Kate Rock was elevated to the peerage by Mr Cameron in the summer following years of service to the party. She is a long- standing friend of George Osborne, who was criticised four years ago for going on holiday to her £1.7million ski lodge in Klosters, Switzerland.
It was claimed by the Chancellor’s spokesman at the time that his wife Frances and 46year- old Mrs Rock had been friends since the age of 15. She has worked on the last two election campaigns.
Her husband Caspar is chief investment officer of Architas, part of the £15billion AXA Wealth fund. His annual salary and bonus is estimated at more than £500,000.
The plan is to publish the letter from business leaders on Tuesday, according to one potential signatory who spoke to Sky News.
A source said it was hoped that hundreds of business leaders would sign it, enabling the ‘in’ campaign to claim it speaks for firms employing more than a million people.
Jacob Rees-Mogg, Tory MP for North East Somerset, said: ‘That this letter is being circulated now underlines just how irrelevant this deal is. I said it was thin gruel – now it appears it is imaginary gruel. Businesses need to think of what is in their interests and in the interests of their customers and employees.’
The Eurosceptic MP said it would be wrong if party resources were being used to Husband: Caspar Rock support the ‘in’ campaign. ‘The Conservative Party has said formally that it will be independent in this debate,’ he added.
Conservative HQ confirmed last night that Baroness Rock had taken leave of absence from the party’s headquarters this month to work on the campaign to remain a member of the EU.
City sources close to the Britain Stronger in Europe campaign said a letter is expected to be compiled.
It is thought that those likely to be asked to sign include former CBI presidents Sir Roger Carr, now chairman of BAE Systems, and Sir Mike Rake, now chairman of BT. Others are likely to include former Diageo chief executive Paul Walsh and advertising guru Sir Martin Sorrell.
The timing of the publication of the letter is subject to change if an agreement with the rest of the EU is delayed, and it may yet not materialise at all if Mr Cameron fails to win sufficient concessions.
Baroness Rock was closely involved with a letter supporting the Tories published during last year’s general election campaign. Steve Baker, Tory MP for Wycombe, said: ‘While the Prime Minister is in Brussels telling EU leaders that he has ruled nothing out, his top aides are trying to drum up support for the campaign to keep us in the EU at all costs.
‘Number 10 have jumped the gun and are seeking support for this inconsequential deal which would keep Britain under the cosh of EU law made by EU judges and Brussels bureaucrats. The only way to take back control is to vote leave.’
A Tory spokesman saidt: ‘CCHQ has always said it will permit its staff to work for either side by taking unpaid leave of absence.’
Downing Street declined to comment last night.