Kemi Badenoch to relaunch exclusive advisory board' for high-value donors

"The Tory leader has drawn up plans to reinstate the exclusive group, which provided top donors with regular direct access to senior ministers, according to two people briefed on the plans. In 2021, the Conservative party's advisory board found itself at the centre of a cash for access storm after it emerged that its members had regular meetings and calls with Boris Johnson, the prime minister at the time, and Rishi Sunak, the then chancellor."

"One donor, Mohamed Amersi, told the media that some members of the board had given the party upwards of 250,000 a year. It was quietly wound up in subsequent years after the controversy. Badenoch's decision to relaunch the board is a sign of her efforts to keep money flowing into the party's coffers. Despite concerns, donations have held up in the year since the Tories experienced their worst-ever election defeat."

Kemi Badenoch is relaunching the Conservative party's advisory board for high-value donors under a different guise. The reinstated group would offer top donors regular direct access to senior ministers and the party leader. The original advisory board became embroiled in a 2021 cash-for-access controversy after members had regular meetings and calls with Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak, and some donors reportedly gave upwards of 250,000 a year. The board was quietly wound up after the controversy. The new iteration aims to sustain party fundraising, likely granting donors access to Badenoch and shadow cabinet members amid concerns over donor departures.

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