I will not undermine my work, says Parliamentary hopeful (From Stourbridge News)

I will not undermine my work, says Parliamentary hopeful

3:03pm Wednesday 30th September 2009

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THE Conservative Parliamentary hopeful for Stourbridge has defended her decision to ask for money to introduce businesses to a political contact.

Following allegations in a national newspaper last week, aspiring Tory MP Margot James confirmed she made a £1,000-plus charge for arranging a meeting between business contacts and a member of the Shadow Cabinet.

But she says the money she asked for was not for herself but for struggling Stourbridge charity - the Coach House.

She said: “I was working with the charity that provides support for adults with learning disabilities when my local vicar alerted me to the fact that their funding had been cut and their future was in doubt.

“As an afterthought it occurred to me that in the normal course of business I could have made a charge for the work involved in setting up the meeting for my ex-client, the related consultancy involved, and there was an opportunity here to raise some money for the charity.”

Margot, who has a business background in healthcare PR and advertsing, stressed “there was never any fee for this service until I thought of requesting a donation in respect of my time to the charity”.

She added: “I believe objectivity is important and I will not undermine my work advancing the interests of business and employment, issues which I am passionate about, for financial gain.”

Stourbridge Labour MP Lynda Waltho, who is gearing up for a stiff battle in what is viewed as a key marginal constituency at the next election, said: “This is typical of Cameron’s new Tories, using a prospect of Government for business purposes. What makes the Tories think they can buy this constituency?”

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