Tories engulfed in new storm with MP being probed over party funds

A CABINET minister was forced today to defend the Conservatives after it was reported that the party failed to act for more than three months over a series of bizarre allegations surrounding Mark Menzies MP.

- Jitendra Joshi

The member for Fylde in Lancashire disputes the allegations reported by The Times but the party said he had agreed to have the whip withdrawn, meaning that he will now sit in the Commons as an independent.

Mr Menzies became the eighth Tory MP to be suspended over various allegations including of sexual misconduct.

He denies any wrongdoing.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps denied that suspect behaviour was rampant in his party's ranks after 14 years of Conservative rule.

He told LBC: "There are people I'm afraid in every walk of life who either won't do the right thing or sometimes are troubled individually, perhaps with mental health and other things which leads them to do things which they shouldn't have done. Those eight aren't all sitting in Parliament."