Cash for access: large Tory donors can expect to meet David Cameron

Cash for access: large Tory donors can expect to meet David Cameron, says Francis Maude 

People who make large donations to the Conservative party should expect to get access to the Prime Minister, Francis Maude the Cabinet Office Minister has said. 

Mr Maude said it was no secret that those who paid more than £50,000 to join the Leaders Group would be invited to meet the PM and senior party members.

He also said it was unreasonable to insist that Mr Cameron disclose his private dinner guests.

In an interview with BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Monday, described by commentators as a "car crash", Mr Maude suggested that people who donate large amounts of money to the party were invited to regular "leaders group" dinners.

He suggested party donors should be able to get access to the Prime Minister, but denied they could influence or buy policy, describing the suggestions as "absurd".

However he added: "People will put forward ideas whether they are donors or not. Do you really want a Prime Minister who is not going to listen to ideas that are put to him?"

His comments came after senior party officials admitted Mr Cameron and his wife Samantha hosted dinners in their Downing Street flat for millionaire Tory donors.

Mr Cameron found himself caught in a cash-for-access row after Tory treasurer Peter Cruddas was recorded in secret claiming that donors were treated to exclusive dinners in Mr Cameron's flat above No 10 Downing Street and Chequers, the Prime Minister’s official country residence.

Senior party sources admitted that Mr Cameron had held talks in his flat with two large donors in the past year, although the source said it was “exceptionally unusual”. Michael Spencer, a former Tory treasurer, was one of the guests.

A senior aide to the Prime Minister denied the party was “selling” access to Mr Cameron’s flat, and insisted no public money was used at the “handful” of private dinners since the Coalition took office.