Family of Captain Tom have tainted his legacy, say locals

Residents of Marston Moretaine now just want to move on

- ALEX ROSS

It's now just over four-and-a-half years since Captain Sir Tom Moore completed one of the greatest fundraising feats the world has ever seen.

The war veteran’s grit and determination to walk 100 laps of his back garden during the depths of lockdown touched the nation’s hearts, and pockets, raising £39m for NHS charities.

A year later, on his death, with the country gripped by mourning, former health secretary Matt Hancock called on the UK to “mark the memory” of Britain’s Covid hero as calls grew for a statue.

But a visit to the now-famed location of the incredible fundraiser – Captain Tom’s Old Rectory home in the Bedfordshire village of Marston Moretaine – gives little clue his incredible achievement ever took place.

It’s a sorrowful sign of the tarnished legacy of the man, say villagers, with a long-awaited report, published yesterday, finding his family had personally benefited from a charity set up in his name.

A firm run by his daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore and son-inlaw Colin Ingram-Moore was paid almost £1.5m for three of his books, including his bestselling autobiography, the Charity Commission found.

The couple also “inappropriately for private benefit” used the charity name to apply for planning permission for a foundation building in the back garden of the gated home, which was subsequently built and included a spa pool and home cinema. The Ingram-Moores, who have now placed the family home up for sale, were ordered to demolish the building this year amid anger in the village.