Tories demand return of Brexit £600k

Conservative MPs have asked Vote Leave to return a £600k donation.
Vote Leave chief executive, Matthew Elliott.Vote Leave chief executive, Matthew Elliott.
Vote Leave chief executive, Matthew Elliott.

Two Conservative politicians have today written to the Chief Executive of Vote Leave, Matthew Elliott asking him to return money donated to the Vote Leave campaign by a former member of the British Nationalist Party.

Gladys Bramall, a former member of the BNP, has donated £600,000 to Vote leave over the course of the campaign.

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Matthew Elliott, the Leeds-born chief executive of Business for Britain, received the letter from Alok Sharma, Conservative MP for Reading West and Sam Gyimah, Conservative MP for East Surrey.

The letter said: “I have been deeply disturbed to learn that your campaign has accepted money from a former member of the British National Party.

As I am sure you do not need me to tell you, the British National Party are a racist organisation. They have no place in a civilised society, and therefore you will understand why I have been concerned that you have failed to clarify whether you will return the money.

“It is absolutely clear that this donor was a member of the British National Party, so will you confirm you will return the money?

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“Any hesitation, or claims you are investigating the issue, will be seen clearly for what they are – a delaying tactic to sweep racism under the carpet until after the referendum.”

This morning Vote Leave chairman and Justice Secretary Michael Gove said that if Ms Bramall held the “objectionable” anti-immigrant views of the BNP then the organisation would return it and not use it in campaigning.

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