Fox 'misled backers over donations'

Liam Fox is facing more pressure over his involvement in soliciting donations for a company that funded close friend Adam Werrity.

Prominent Tory backers were said to have complained that the former defence secretary "misled" them about how the money would be used.

Labour MP John Mann also insisted police and the Electoral Commission should look at whether Dr Fox and Mr Werrity had behaved in a criminal fashion.

The latest wave of developments came despite Dr Fox finally falling on his sword on Friday night after a turbulent week for the coalition.

David Cameron shifted Philip Hammond to take charge at the Ministry of Defence, while Justine Greening replaced him at Transport. According to the Sunday Telegraph, the reshuffle was so hastily conducted that Mr Cameron contacted his ministers from a train platform surrounded by morris dancers.

Venture capitalist Jon Moulton is understood to have approached Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell to express unhappiness about Dr Fox's actions. Mr Moulton said the Cabinet minister asked him to donate to Pargav, a not-for-profit company set up by Mr Werritty. He was apparently told the firm helped provide "security and analysis", and was unaware it was funding Mr Werritty's travel to meet Dr Fox on official trips.

The millionaire has also complained to the Conservative Party about the way he was treated.

There were reports that those giving money to Pargav had been promised anonymity, which could potentially be against tough rules on declaring donations.

Bassetlaw MP Mr Mann said he had written to Scotland Yard asking for a fraud investigation to be launched. "I referred the matter to the police to investigate whether there is a potential fraud," he told the Telegraph. "Mr Werritty gave out business cards saying he was an adviser to Dr Fox. If that is not the case and he was getting money - for whatever purpose - by misrepresenting his relationship with the defence secretary, that cannot be right."

Dr Fox's actions should also be scrutinised be the force, he added. The Yard said it had not yet received any request to investigate.

For such a highly educated chap he doesn't seem to have much common sense does he?

Either that or he's such an arrogant he thought he'd get away with it all!