Ex-Tory MP points apology after claims he requested workers to repay ‘dangerous individuals’

Former Tory MP Mark Menzies has issued a grovelling apology after allegedly misusing campaign funds and abusing his position.

In an article published today, the Fylde MP told his constituents he had been through the “toughest tests”, adding: “I have made mistakes and I am deeply sorry for that”.

Mr Menzies quit the Tory party last month after claims he called an elderly ex-campaign manager at 3.15am to ask for £5,000 as he was locked in a flat with “some bad people”. According to the Times, Mr Menzies had claimed it was a matter of “life or death” but 78-year-old Tory volunteer Katie Fieldhouse refused.

Instead she called his office manager who later stumped up the sum from her personal bank account, which had risen to £6,500. It was later reimbursed from a campaign fund paid for by donors, the newspaper alleged. Mr Menzies, who has already announced he will not run again at the next general election, said last month he disputed the allegations put to him.

In a column for the Lancashire Post published today, the MP said: “As many of you will be aware, I have announced that I will not be standing at the forthcoming general election. Recent years have been an incredibly difficult time for me personally. While I will not be going into detail about this publicly, I have faced personal challenges that have proven some of the toughest tests of my life.”

He went on: “I have made mistakes and I am deeply sorry for that. Being at the centre of a media storm is far from easy. At difficult times like this, the person who gives me comfort is my mum. With my father having passed before I was born and no siblings we have an extremely close bond and I know the sacrifices she made in raising me.

“Now almost 90, she has been living with dementia and a catalogue of other conditions for several years. Throughout this time, I have been combining my duties as a Member of Parliament with those of a carer.” Mr Menzies added he was “eternally grateful” to the support received from carers and NHS medical staff and said he was still determined to deliver for his constituents until the election.

An investigation into the allegations last month found that while there had not been a misuse of party funds, the MP’s behaviour fell below the required standards.

Last month his former campaign manager Ms Fieldhouse told the Mirror she had contacted the Conservative Party back in January to express her “concerns” with the MP. She said: “All the things that had happened accumulated in my head. I came to the conclusion that something had to be done about it because I have a great fondness for my constituency.”

Ms Fieldhouse would not comment when asked if she thought the MP should resign. But she said: “I put my faith in the Conservative Party to deal with Mr Menzies.” She continued: “I am a devout Conservative, all my life, and also a devout Christian, and I cannot accept his behaviour. It is very upsetting.” Mr Menzies told the Times last month: “I strongly dispute the allegations put to me. I have fully complied with all the rules for declarations. As there is an investigation ongoing I will not be commenting further.”