The Drum Awards for Marketing - Extended Deadline

-d -h -min -sec

No apology from Conservative Party as Cruddas wins £1.2 million libel case against Sunday Times “cash for access” story

Author

By Steven Raeburn, N/A

August 1, 2013 | 3 min read

The chairman of the Conservative party, Grant Shapps, has declined to apologise to Peter Cruddas when prompted seven times by reporters, following his libel victory against the Sunday Times.

The Sunday Times report

The newspaper reported that the former Conservative party Treasurer charged £250,000 to meet the prime minister, David Cameron.

He has won almost £1.2 million in damages and costs over the 16 month legal battle.

Cruddas said the Conservative party had not supported him during the case.

“By not giving me support, by not listening to my side of the story and lining up to criticise me in public, just made the whole situation a lot worse," he said.

Grant Shapps, the Conservative party chairman, refused to apologise to Cruddas on behalf of the party when pressed by journalists. The Guardian reported that he declined seven times to offer an apology.

“I don't really think it's a question of that, I think it's a question of congratulating Peter Cruddas for managing to pursue this and get the right outcome," Shapps said.

Lord Ashcroft, the former Conservative treasure said the Prime Minister should apologise.

"I hope that Mr Cameron will now offer Mr Cruddas an apology for his criticism of him, and for forcing him to step down as treasurer with such haste when Mr Cruddas was fulfilling his unpaid role well and effectively. That would be the right thing to do," he said.

Cruddas said: “Unfortunately, it is very disappointing that the Conservative party gave a knee-jerk reaction when this story broke without first listening to my side of the story, and haven't reached out to me since, as they should also be celebrating this victory with me today.

"The party's motives should have been about truth and fairness but instead they chose to focus on what was politically less damaging."

Trending

Industry insights

View all
Add your own content +