And a further £14,000 was spent on private medical bills. He strongly disputes the claims, according to the times. The Conservative Party was made aware of the allegations three months ago. It says its investigating. 0ur Political Correspondent nick eardley reports the honesty needs to start now. The lack of clarity needs to stop. This was mark menzies last week in a local campaign video. When this was filmed, he was still a conservative mp. But last night he was suspended from the party. It came after allegations in a newspaper that he used funds from donors to pay thousands to so called bad people who had apparently locked him in a flat. The bbc has checked details of some of the allegations printed in the times this morning that mr menzies called a 78 year old local activist in the middle of the night, asking for money. It is claimed he said he was being detained against his will, that he needed money as a matter of life or death. The £6,500 was provided by a local activist, the m
ten years ago, he quit as a ministerial aide after allegations he paid a male escort allegations he denied. he was also reportedly quizzed a few years later by police over claims he got a dog drunk. again, those allegations were strongly denied. mr menzies said he had been cleared by police. after the latest allegations, some local voters were less than impressed. iii local voters were less than impressed- local voters were less than imressed. ., , . impressed. if you are in a public osition impressed. if you are in a public position like impressed. if you are in a public position like that, impressed. if you are in a public position like that, then - impressed. if you are in a public position like that, then honesty| impressed. if you are in a public- position like that, then honesty and high standards and ethics should be something you take seriously. this is a messy story something you take seriously. this is a messy story of something you take seriously. this is a messy s
i understand that cchq have been aware of it for a while, and have been investigating. i think some new information has come to light, subsequently. there are obviously a lot of unanswered questions in relation to these allegations. not least why it seems the conservative party took so long to act, and whether they have reported this to the police, who it seems to me should be involved in this. it s not the first time mr menzies has faced controversy. ten years ago, he quit as a ministerial aide after allegations he paid a male escort allegations he denied. he was also reportedly quizzed a few years later by police over claims he got a dog drunk. again, those allegations were strongly denied. mr menzies said he had been cleared by police. after the latest allegations, some local voters on the beach at st annes were less than impressed. if you re in a public position like that, then honesty and high standards of ethics should be something you take seriously.
they wanted to make a complaint. in his fylde constituency this afternoon, no sign of mr menzies, and the at the address given for the local party offices, there was no response. but he told the times: it is not the first time mr menzies has faced controversy. ten yea rs faced controversy. ten years ago, he quit as a ministerial aide after allegations he paid a male escort, allegations he paid a male escort, allegations he denied. he was also reportedly quizzed a few years later by police over claims he got a dog drunk. again, those allegations were strongly denied. mr menzies said he had been cleared by police. this is a messy story of allegations about the local mp, but it has wider implications about the reputation of politicians more widely. after other different but recent scandals, none of this is good for westminster. the judge at the criminal trial of the former us president donald trump says 12 jury members have now been selected. but the search for six alternative jurors cont
lot of unanswered questions - subsequently. there are obviously a lot of unanswered questions in - lot of unanswered questions in relation lot of unanswered questions in relation to these allegations not least, relation to these allegations not least, why it seems the conservative party least, why it seems the conservative party took least, why it seems the conservative party took so long to act and whether party took so long to act and whether they have reported this to the police, whether they have reported this to the police, who it seems to me should the police, who it seems to me should he the police, who it seems to me should be involved in this. it is not the first should be involved in this. it is not the first time should be involved in this. it 3 not the first time that mr menzies has faced controversy. ten years ago he quit as a ministerial aide after allegations that he may paid an escort, allegations that he denied. he was reportedly quizzed a few years l