Ex-Tory MP denies knowing property developer was behind £39,000 in donations

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. In the third week of a trial at Warwick Crown Court, Mackintosh, the Conservatives’ former national head of campaigns, said he did not know any of the third parties’ donations had been provided by Grossman. He told me he was a Conservative Party supporter.” Mackintosh, who relinquished his role at the council when he was elected as an MP in May 2015, was asked by Mr Nelson: “In any of your dealings as leader of the borough council, or indeed as an MP, did you give any favours to Mr Grossman?” Mackintosh said: “No.” The former MP told the jury he had met one of several third parties who donated money to his constituency party and was unaware Grossman was the source of a £10,000 sum apparently donated by the man. Obviously years later the conversation made more sense.” During further questioning, Mackintosh said he believed a total of nine donations had come from the third parties named in documentation provided to his local party. Mr Nelson asked Mackintosh: “Before or during the time when you were an MP or leader of the borough council, did you do anything or not do anything because of donations from Mr Grossman?” The ex-MP said: “No.” Commenting on his decision to stand down and not seek re-selection by his local party in 2017, Mackintosh said: “Obviously these allegations played a part.