Responding to Nadhim Zahawi’s comments today suggesting that voters should consider attending Conservative Party fundraisers in their local area if they want access to MPs and local authorities, Liberal Democrat Housing, Communities and Local Government Spokesperson Tim Farron said: “The ‘defence’ of Robert Jenrick is in reality little more than an admission of cash for access. It seems the Tory Party’s commitment to the ‘levelling up’ agenda amounts to sleaze and corruption.
“Every new, scandalous detail that emerges about Jenrick’s decision to railroad through a housing deal to help out a Tory donor demonstrates that he is entirely unfit to hold public office.
“People deserve better. Up until a very few months ago, a Minister caught in this kind of situation would have done the decent thing and resigned before now. If they didn’t resign, the PM would have sacked them.
“I have nothing against Mr Jenrick personally, but integrity in politics matters. He must resign today and – if not – the PM must dismiss him or else lose all moral authority.”