Exclusive: Anti-corruption charity calls for ban on parties accepting donations from companies with public contracts
Companies linked to Conservative donors have collectively received Β£8.4bnin public money since 2016, analysis shows, more than 150 times what the party has received in support.
Government spending and political donation records reveal that key contributors have given Β£53.7m to the Tory party since January 2015, while controlling firms that have received billionsin government and NHS contracts over eight years.
Frank Hester, whose company The Phoenix Partnership has received Β£427.7m from the NHS and Department for Health since 2016 and who has donated Β£15.3m to the Conservatives since 2023. The businessman, mired in a row about comments condemned as racist and misogynistic, gave the Conservative party Β£5m in January.
JCB Service, which donated almost Β£3.3m between May 2017 and September last year. Companies within the same corporate grouping have directly received Β£566,161 between April 2016 and April this year.
Richard Harpin, who has donated Β£2.7m between May 2016 and March 2024, including a donation from a company he has significant control over: Growth Partner LLP. His firms Harmony Bridge Limited and Liberty House (Hull) Ltd received a combined Β£730,980 from Homes England between May 2019 and August 2021.
Dr Selva Pankaj, who has donated Β£727,000 to the Conservatives since November 2015. His company FP(GB) LTD (formerly known as Fortress Properties) received Β£4,733,336 from Homes England between November 2020 and August 2023.