Peter Cruddas: I served Samantha Cameron a curry, boasted ex-Tory treasurer

Posted on by Listify Me

By
Gerri Peev, Political Correspondent


PUBLISHED:

23:05 GMT, 1 April 2012

|

UPDATED:

06:47 GMT, 2 April 2012

Disgraced Tory treasurer Peter Cruddas bankrolled an event at the Prime Minister’s official country residence and claims to have met David Cameron at more than a dozen private events, it has emerged.

Mr Cruddas – forced to quit his post over the ‘cash-for-access’ scandal last week – told undercover investigators he met Mr Cameron for dinner 13 times at private events, often held at luxury homes of the rich and powerful.

He also hosted a dinner for the Prime Minister on his birthday and served Samantha Cameron a curry at a charity event.

Revelations: Peter Cruddas, former Tory treasurer, hosted a dinner for the Prime Minister on his birthday and served Samantha Cameron a curry at a charity event

Sting: Tory Peter Cruddas was caught by undercover reporters claiming to be able to sell access to the Prime Minister

The revelations – made to reporters
posing as potential donors – highlight his close relationship with Mr
Cameron, despite the Premier’s attempts to portray Mr Cruddas as a minor
player in the party.

Last
week Mr Cameron said: ‘Peter Cruddas has never recommended anyone to
come to dinner in my flat, nor has he been to dinner there himself.’

But
yesterday it emerged Mr Cruddas did, however, meet him at other social
occasions that were not listed by No 10 last week, including at a meal
at the home of art dealer Ivor Bakra.

Last night Labour demanded a public inquiry about the ‘drip, drip’ nature of the revelations.  

The
Tories were reeling last week after Mr Cruddas boasted to undercover
Sunday Times journalists that he could facilitate access to the Prime
Minister in return for a ‘Premier League’ donation of £250,000.

Scandal: Disgraced Peter Cruddas , pictured left with Prime Minister David Cameron MP, was forced to resign over his ‘cash-for-access’ boasts

He was also filmed boasting about his knowledge of policy matters, including the plan to cut the top rate of tax in the Budget.

He quit within hours of the revelations and No 10 began a damage- limitation exercise to convince the public that his access to Mr Cameron was limited.

No 10 initially resisted revealing the names of donors entertained by Mr Cameron at his Downing Street flat, saying they were ‘private’ events. Aides also insisted there were no clear records of who visited Mr Cameron at his state-funded country residence, Chequers.

But by Monday, No 10 was embarrassed into handing over the list amid claims of a cover-up.

Even then, only the details of dinners in Downing Street or Chequers with donors who had handed over £50,000 or more were published. Details of more informal meetings or events in private homes or restaurants were not released.

Yesterday it emerged that Mr Cruddas had told undercover journalists that he had hosted a dinner in London’s Belgrave Square on the Prime Minister’s birthday.

Connected: Peter Cruddas claimed to have direct access to David Cameron on at least 13 occasions – even bankrolling a dinner at the Prime Minister’s country retreat of Chequers, pictured

He also said he had served a ‘Ruby Murray’ – curry – to Mrs Cameron at a charity event at Chequers. This event was listed by the Tories but there was no reference to the Conservative treasurer’s presence.

A Downing Street source again tried to play down the significance of the meetings. The source said: ‘There was a curry served for dinner. This was a massive event in a marquee.

‘We took the view that if you named every donor you would put them off donating in the future. It was a massive event and raised substantial amounts for Mencap [£1million]. We make no apology for that.’

Mr Cruddas had not had a private dinner at Chequers or Downing Street but it would have been ‘very strange if he had not met’ Mr Cameron on other occasions, the source said.

But Labour called on Mr Cameron to come clean on all meetings with donors – irrespective of where they took place.

Mr Cameron also faced separate questions about a fundraising group meeting at No 10.

Party chairman Lord Feldman and Mr Cameron held a meeting last year with the chairman of the Conservative Foundation, Lord Hesketh, who was sacked at the meeting.

The meeting could have breached the Ministerial Code, which states: ‘Facilities provided to ministers at government expense to enable them to carry out their official duties should not be used for party or constituency work.’

But a No 10 source said: ‘We accept that the meeting took place but this was not a Conservative Foundation meeting in Downing Street.’

A Labour spokesman said: ‘This drip, drip of revelations cannot be allowed to continue.’

 

Here’s what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts,
or debate this issue live on our message boards.

The comments below have been moderated in advance.



  • Newest


  • Oldest


  • Best rated


  • Worst rated

This IS WORLD STOPPING NEWS.. man serves curry to wife of PM….About time he got a life this is not news so lets move on PLEASE

Report abuse

I feel embarrassed for them! But you can bet they have not a clue how disgusted we are of them! Galloway has shown the way “WE” need to use our vote give the raving loonie party a chance they could not possible be any worst than the three main party’s!!

Report abuse

As I watch Cameron stand in front of the TV cameras assuring us all he had never held cash for dinners at No 10, none of us could be blamed for believing this utterly convincing man. Now we discover they did take place, it is frightening to think this man who is a master at telling lies is leading our country. He is well turned out, a toff but reminds me of a second hand car sales man, all show and no substance.
Even if we did want Cameron to go, they are dozens more liars to take his place. There is little to chose between them.

Report abuse

DAVE YOU ARE THE .LOWEST OF THE LOW I HOPE YOUR WIFE AND KIDS ARE REALLY PROUD OF YOU, MIND YOU SHE MOST PROABLY IS

Report abuse

Until the tory party get rid of Cameron, The lib-dems get rid of clegge and labour gets rid of centerpede there will be no winners at the next elections we will end up with a coalition of all three idiots, the only other alternative is to vote UKIP but the sheep of this country wont as they are incline to vote what there fathers and grandfathers voted for, no brains to think for there selfs.

Report abuse

Karma or Korma?

Report abuse

I served SamCam a curry, boasted ex-Tory treasurer====Wow the high life of powerful politicians.

Report abuse

That`s what`s called currying favour. Great Britain, governed by the wealthy for the benefit of the wealthy.

Report abuse

Why can’t Cameron ever give an honest and truthful answer first time he is asked a question? He must have a full-time spin doctor who spends his time correcting the Prime Minister’s earlier statements. Tell the truth Dodgy Dave, even when it is enbarrassing.

Report abuse

That’s why Cameron is looking thicker than ever …. guess sharing his excesses with badly-run care homes and hospitals wouldn’t be as lucrative. Buying favours costs money.

Report abuse

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Open bundled references in tabs: