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Tory Party richest by £1m in 3-month fat cats’ bonanza

THE Tories banked over a million pounds more in donations than every other political party put together in the final quarter of 2015, the Electoral Commission revealed yesterday.

The Conservatives cashed-in on their big business backers to the tune of £5,152,334 between October and December 2015.

That far exceeded the combined sum received by 12 major and minor opposition parties of £4,072,761.

Labour raised the second highest figure at £2,669,241, followed by the Lib Dems with £828,657 and Ukip at £196,282.

But far from reflecting popular support, almost half of Tory funding came from a tiny group of 49 super-rich donors wined and dined by David Cameron.

The Tories’ Leaders Group, which costs £50,000 a year to join, stumped up £2,204,938.

The party’s website openly flaunts access to the Prime Minister for those who can afford the fee.

“Members are invited to join David Cameron and other senior figures from the Conservative Party at dinners, post-PMQ lunches, drinks receptions, election result events and important campaign launches,” the site reads.

Details of the latest donations were revealed as the Tories continue their attempt to cripple Labour’s finances through the Trade Union Bill and cuts to parties’ state funding, known as short money.

“These figures show the extent of the Tories’ unfair and partisan moves to rig the political system and give themselves an unfair advantage,” said shadow Cabinet Office minister Jonathan Ashworth.

Big business figures dominate the Leaders Group, members of which have, in the past, been treated to private dinners at 10 Downing Street and the PM’s second home Chequers.

It includes the Arbuthnot Banking Group, run by former Tory treasurer Henry Angest, who was knighted for “political services” last year, which donated £36,500 in final quarter of 2015.

The largest single sum in the same period — £250,000 — came from millionaire former stockbroker Alexander Fraser.

The second biggest — £232,920 — came from Countywide Developments Ltd, run by £500 million land baron Anthony Gallagher, who recently stumped up £8,000 for a helicopter ride for Chancellor George Osborne.

The Tories received a whopping £55,177,600 during the last Parliament from rich supporters who attended dinner or drinks with Mr Cameron.

That accounted for more than half of all donations to the Tories between 2010 and 2015.

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