Outrageous news: Private businessman donates money to Conservatives

"Andrew Lansley, the shadow health secretary, is being bankrolled by the head of one of the biggest private health providers to the NHS.

John Nash, the chairman of Care UK, gave £21,000 to fund Andrew Lansley’s personal office in November. Mr Nash, a private equity tycoon, also manages several other businesses providing services to the NHS and stands to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of Conservative policies to increase the use of private health providers.

Andy Burnham, the Heath Secretary, is planning to write to David Cameron, the party leader, asking for him to guarantee that Conservative health policy is not dictated by private health care companies.

A senior Labour source said: "This raises serious questions about Andrew Lansley's judgement and it is difficult to see how he can continue on in his role as shadow health secretary when it would appear that a private health care company is helping to fund the development of Tory healthy policy.

"David Cameron claims that the Tories are now the party of the NHS - it makes his claim look more absurd than ever. How can the public trust Cameron on the NHS when his health secretary is hand in glove with a big beneficiary of Tory health policy? There is an apparent contradiction at the heart of Tory health policy and we urgently need to hear a detailed read out of what this money was donated in exchange for or the money should be refunded..."

Guess what newspaper published that?

Perhaps the anti private healthcare flavour gives you a clue?

Perhaps the extended quote from a Labour source points you to The Mirror?

Or is the giveaway in the decision to relegate the explanation from CCHQ to the final two paragraphs?

The newspaper that published this anti-Tory drivel is... The Telegraph.

Tim Montgomerie

PS If only the private healthcare industry was more influential on Tory health policy! I happen to know John Nash. He's a generous man who has supported a range of interests (including the Centre for Social Justice) from which he can expect no personal gain.