Gazette

George Osborne hosts charity reception at Number 11 with footballer Phil Neville

By Matthew Barrett
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Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne hosted an event to raise money for the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, at 11 Downing Street yesterday. He was joined by the Everton and former Manchester United football player, Phil Neville, who was accompanied by his wife and children. 

Click on the images below to enlarge. 

Conservative MPs dominate victorious House of Commons Tug of War team

By Jonathan Isaby
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Last night saw the annual Lords v Commons Tug of War competition held in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

The Commons team, which beat the Lords in two straight pulls, was a Labour-free zone, made up of seven Conservative MPs and one Liberal Democrat. Acting as cheerleaders were fellow MPs Adam Holloway and Defence MInister Gerald Howarth, who was wearing black tie for the occasion.

The defeated Lords team, meanwhile, included Tory peers Lords Dobbs and Faulks.

Below is the victorious team: Jack Lopresti, John Hemming, Matthew Hancock, Daniel Poulter, Philip Lee, Tobias Ellwood, Andy Stephenson and Alec Shelbrooke.

Peter Cruddas appointed Co-Treasurer of the Conservative Party

By Jonathan Isaby
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It was announced yesterday - to coincide with the Conservative Summer Party which took place last night and of which his wife, Fiona, was chairman - that Peter Cruddas has been appointed as Conservative Party Co-Treasurer.

He will work alongside the Party Treasurer, Lord Fink.

The founder of internet securities dealer CMC Markets, he is a self-made man who is involved in a number of charities, including the Prince’s Trust, the Duke of Edinburgh Award and Great Ormond Street Hospital.

He also remains a Trustee of the Peter Cruddas Foundation, which he launched in 2005 to benefit disadvantaged and disengaged young people in British society. It has already donated £15 million to 60 organisations.

Additionally, Cruddas has recently served with distinction as Co-Treasurer of the No2AV Campaign.

Today's Daily Mail reports that as the son of a meat porter in the East End, he left school at fifteen, yet has gone on to become Britain's fifteenth richest man.

Corby MP Louise Bagshawe has married Metallica manager Peter Mensch

Guido had the scoop last night and today's Telegraph carries further details...

"Louise Bagshawe, the Tory MP, has married an American rock promoter 19 years her senior during the parliamentary recess... Bagshawe, who captured Corby for the Tories last year, has married Peter Mensch, 58, who manages rock bands including Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Snow Patrol. "It will have to be a long-distance relationship to start with," says the MP, who has homes in London and Northamptonshire, while her husband lives in New York. "Our work is important to both of us, but we will get together as often as we can."

Many congratulations to Louise and Peter from all at ConHome.