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I won't beg to stay in Tory party, says donor
Nicholas Cecil, Chief Political Correspondent30.03.09
MILLIONAIRE Stuart Wheeler today said he would not beg David Cameron to let him remain a Tory member after he offered a donation to a rival party.
The spread betting tycoon, who once donated £5million to the Conservatives, was suspended from the party last night for saying he would give £100,000 to the UK Independence Party.
However, Mr Wheeler was defiant today, saying: "I don't think I will be begging to come back."
He also launched an attack on Mr Cameron's leadership style. "I think the leadership very much makes up its mind without regard to others, other than a few people at the very top. I think that more than half the shadow cabinet are more Eurosceptic than the leadership and would favour a tougher line on Europe."
Mr Wheeler has 28 days to appeal against his expulsion.
Senior Tories are believed to have concluded it was untenable for him to remain a member while supporting another party.
The tycoon - an arch Eurosceptic - announced at the weekend that he would be making the donation to Ukip and voting for the party at the European parliamentary elections in June after becoming disillusioned with Mr Cameron over Europe.
Mr Wheeler said he was disappointed at the decision, but would continue to vote for the Conservatives in the next set of local elections.
Reader views (3)
It beggars belief why you gave them the £5 million back in 2001. The Conservatives haven't changed any policies in the past eight years and are only topping the opinion polls because people are blaming the Labour Party for the Recession.
- Andrew, London W1
What an odd man?
He donates to UKIP; but will vote Tory………..LOL.
He would do better by donating to Battersea Dogs Home.
- Mickyinlondon, london
Good for Mr Wheeler. . . there can be no doubt that UKIP is by far the more respectable Political Party and indeed, is one that actually represents the views of many in the UK and further afield in places such as Ireland.
The EU is nothing but a nutty cancer with it's intrusive nonsense attempting to pervade every aspect of our daily lives - and the Conservatives along with Labour and the other minor parties seem content to remain within it's rotting shadow.
- Eoin Mcgreeghan, Derry, NI
