Lord Mandelson: Lord Ashcroft has David Cameron by the balls
Lord Mandelson says Conservative party donor Lord Ashcroft had David Cameron "by the balls"
Also In The News
|
By Jack Clark. |  |
Monday, 08, Mar 2010 05:14
By inthenews.co.uk staff.
Lord Mandelson has claimed the dispute over Lord Ashcroft's tax status has exposed Conservative leader David Cameron's "fundamental weakness".
The business secretary said in an interview with the Guardian that Mr Cameron's failure to confront Lord Ashcroft over his tax status undermines his claim to be a moderniser.
Lord Mandelson even went as far as to say that Lord Ashcroft had the Tory leader "by the balls" and was able to "call the shots" in the party. Last week it was revealed by Lord Ashcroft, one of the Conservative party's chief financial backers, that he had enjoyed nom-dom status, and had not been paying tax on his foreign earnings since he became a member of the House of Lords ten year ago.
"This is not actually about non-doms or donations. For all the complexity of Ashcroft's financial affairs, the story is a simple one," Lord Mandelson said.
"For ten years that fact has been concealed from the British people. During that time, David Cameron and William Hague have repeatedly said that the undertakings were being met. So either they were misleading people or they were being misled by Ashcroft. Which is it?
"Either way, Mr Cameron has shown extraordinary weakness. If he knew the truth, he should have fired Ashcroft. If not, why was he too afraid to ask Ashcroft the awkward direct question?"
He went as far as to add: "Mr Cameron would rather be seen as complicit in Ashcroft's deception than take him on . [Ashcroft] has David Cameron by the balls. Stand up to him, and the Tories lose his money. Bow down in front of him, and Ashcroft continues to call the shots."