Tory conflict of interest over BT break-up

Left Foot Forward

Questions have been raised over a possible conflict of interest arising from George Osborne’s announcement yesterday that he intends to break up BT as part of his plans for a broadband revolution because it “holds back” companies like Virgin and Carphone Warehouse.

The co-founder of Carphone Warehouse David Ross is a close friend of David Cameron, donating more than £130,000 to the Conservative party. A man not without controversy, he was forced to resign as Boris Johnson’s Olympic Adviser in December 2008 after breaking stock exchange rules by using £157 million of Carphone Warehouse shares to prop up his struggling property empire, and only last December he was questioned by police over an alleged assault.

Here is a detailed breakdown of his donations to the Conservative party; figures obtained from the Electoral Commission:

Received by

Donor

Date

Donation

Accumulation

CCO

Mr David P Ross

09/05/2001

£25,000

£25,000
CCO David Ross 31/03/2006 £5,300 £30,300
CCO Mr David Ross 20/07/2006 £4,460 £34,760
CCO Mr David Ross 02/10/2006 £3,600 £38,360
Corby David Ross 06/06/2007 £2,500 £40,860
Corby David Ross 19/09/2007 £1,500 £42,360
CCO Mr David Ross 20/12/2007 £41,000 £83,360
Corby Mr David Ross 20/12/2007 £1,500 £84,860
Corby Mr David P J Ross 12/03/2008 £1,500 £86,360
CCO Mr David PJ Ross 08/05/2008 £30,500 £116,860
Corby Mr David PJ Ross 12/06/2008 £1,500 £118,360
Corby Mr David PJ Ross 10/09/2008 £1,500 £119,860
CCO Mr David PJ Ross 10/11/2008 £8,000 £127,860
Corby Mr David PJ Ross 17/12/2008 £1,500 £129,360
Corby Mr David PJ Ross 11/03/2009 £1,500 £130,860
Corby Mr David PJ Ross 18/06/2009 £1,500 £132,360
Corby Mr David PJ Ross 10/09/2009 £1,500 £133,860

The Conservative party were unavailable for comment.

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17 Responses to “Tory conflict of interest over BT break-up”

  1. Liz McShane

    David Ross has now been given World Cup role…:

    http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23801595-sacked-boris-johnson-adviser-david-ross-given-world-cup-role.do

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  4. savecosalt_com

    So after David Ross’ shares scandal at carphone and lots of questions about Boris Johnsons judgement in appointing him to Locog, I see Boris has re-appointed David Ross on the board of the London Legacy Development Corporation.
    Is Boris not aware of the scandal at Cosalt? it seems the FSA are in “discussions” with David Ross and Cosalt as confirmed by the company secretary in a letter dated 20th December 2012 to 28 concerned MPs.
    Oh, and then there is the FSA discussions at WH Ireland plc where Mr Ross is part of a consortium (which includes Lord Marland) that owns 26% of the company. Boris – why???

  5. ray odonnell

    Re- David Ross at Cosalt,the struggle to produce the accounts seems to match with the 12 months ban,on another takeover of Cosalts remaining 44% shareholders,who refused the derisory “offer” of one fith of a penny @share in January 2012 (unable to mount another takeover for 12 months as per regulations) Cosalt shares have been suspended,untill the accounts are presented ? The takeover bid is by Oval(100% owned/chaired by David Ross who are witholding the accounts ?) The 44% owner/shareholders have joined with 28 MPs,MEPs,Lords,who have asked questions in parliament,regarding accounts examination as per regulation,every 12 months.The accounts are 2 years overdue on the 31st December 2012,the next takeover attempt allowed by the regulations is 2nd Febuary 2013.Obvious to everyone except the FSA,SFO,UKLA.One law for them and one……..? The accounts will not be presented if a Oval manage it.savecosalt.com and SORT shareholders, are fighting against the Oval/Ross Trojan Horse,insider takeover…..IMO…

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