Tories warned Menzies misuse of funds claims 'constituted fraud' but whistleblower told there was no 'duty' to report it

Mark Menzies MP constituents react to the allegations

Residents of Mark Menzies's constituency express dismay at allegations made against their local representative. Fylde MP Mark Menzies lost the Conservative whip after The Times published claims that he had used political donations to cover medical expenses and pay off “bad people”. Report by Gluszczykm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Labour calls for police probe into MP Mark Menzies

Police should investigate allegations an MP misused campaign funds, Labour has said. Mark Menzies lost the Conservative whip after claims emerged that he had used political donations to cover medical expenses. Menzies disputes the allegations. Starmer said: “There are obviously a lot of unanswered questions in relation to these allegations, not least why it seems the Conservative Party took so long to act and whether they’ve reported this to the police, who, it seems to me, should be involved" Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Minister: MP losing whip is not a party issue

Grant Shapps comments on Tory MP Mark Menzies losing his whip over allegations he misused campaign funds. The defence secretary defends the Conservatives arguing it is not a ''party issue''. Mark Menzies is the eighth Conservative MP who has lost his whip over the course of the current Parliament. Defence Secretary comments on Mark Menzies losing his whip over allegations he misused campaign funds. Grant Shapps defended the Conservatives arguing it is not a ''party issue''. Mark Menzies is the eight Conservative MP who lost his whip over the course of the current Parliament. Report by Gluszczykm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Labour: Don't write off Tories because of local election

Shadow Paymaster General Jonathan Ashworth has warned not to write of the Conservative Party in the general election - despite its losses in the local elections. Report by Alibhaiz. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

London mayor Khan wins record third term as Tories trounced in local polls

Tories Face Significant Bruising at Local Elections

Rishi Sunak experienced a significant by-election setback and faces further pain in council contests across England. Labour's Chris Webb secured victory in the parliamentary seat of Blackpool South, marking a noteworthy swing of 26.33% from the Tories. This victory for Sir Keir Starmer's party was accompanied by successful council wins in areas poised to be critical battlegrounds in upcoming general election. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories face significant bruising at local elections

Rishi Sunak experienced a significant by-election setback and faces further pain in council contests across England. Labour's Chris Webb secured victory in the parliamentary seat of Blackpool South, marking a noteworthy swing of 26.33% from the Tories. This victory for Sir Keir Starmer's party was accompanied by successful council wins in areas poised to be critical battlegrounds in upcoming general election. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Starmer: Blackpool speaks for the whole country

In a speech alongside newly elected MP Chris Webb, Sir Keir Starmer said the result in Blackpool South had sent a message “directly to the Prime Minister” demanding a change. Labour’s Chris Webb won the Blackpool South parliamentary seat with a swing of 26.33% from the Tories. Report by Gluszczykm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Elphicke defection shows country is 'crying out for change'

Labour's Catherine McKinnell said Tory MP Natalie Elphicke's defection to Labour "sends a signal that the country is crying out for change." Ms Elphicke became the second Conservative to defect to Labour in two weeks, saying Rishi Sunak's "Conservatives have become a byword for incompetence and division". Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Ashworth: Elphicke shows Conservative shift to Labour

Labour's Jonathan Ashworth says Natalie Elphicke's defection to his party shows how tens of thousands of other Conservatives are doing the same, as they are fed up of 14 years of failed government. Report by Etemadil. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Labour: Government is disintegrating after Tory defections

Nick Thomas-Symonds welcomes Natalie Elphicke to the Labour Party and says her and other recent Conservative Party defections show the government is "frankly disintegrating". Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Starmer: Elphicke's defection shows govt is incompetent

The Labour leader has said Natalie Elphicke has made clear the Conservative Party are "out of road" and "incompetent", following her defection to Labour. Sir Keir Starmer added, "I don't think she's alone", and believes there are "many Conservative supporters and voters" who feel Labour is the "only party that can take our country forward". Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn