Claims Baroness Warsi breached Ministerial code ‘just mischief making’

THE CONSERVATIVES have dismissed the suggestion that their party co-chairman Baroness Warsi breached the Ministerial code by “promoting her private business” at a party function with the Prime Minister David Cameron.

Reports claimed she paid for a potential customer of a business she is involved with to attend the Conservative Friends of Pakistan launch event last month at the Savoy Hotel in central London.

Fareed Nasir, the founder of Chunky Chicken fast-food restaurant chain, was quoted in a newspaper as saying he was invited because he was working closely over a possible deal with Rupert’s Recipes – in which Lady Warsi owns a stake.

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However, a Tory spokesman said that an suggestion of impropriety was “simply mischief making”.

Meanwhile, the treasurer of the Conservative Party faced Labour calls to quit last night after he agreed to host a House of Lords dinner as part of a £6,000 entertainment package for American Express cardholders.

Lord Fink, a major Tory donor and David Cameron’s chief fundraiser, was accused of breaching parliamentary rules by sponsoring the private dinner. It was part of a $9,391-a-head “Wimbledon Championships” package available to AmEx Platinum and Centurion card-holders, according to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism and The Independent.

It was advertised as a “one-of-a kind opportunity to advance your lifestyle” and also included two days of tennis, accommodation at the Dorchester hotel in Park Lane and a drinks reception with former star John McEnroe.

The Tories said Lord Fink was no longer sponsoring the dinner after it was brought to his attention that it may be in breach of the rules.

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