Topical question asked in the House of Commons, by Kerry McCarthy (Labour). It was answered on Tuesday, 21 February 2012 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Topical Questions

Question: Before the election, the Conservative party and the then shadow Health Secretary received substantial donations from the chairman of the private health company Care UK and his wife. Does he agree with the then Liberal Democrat health spokesman, the hon. Member for North Norfolk (Norman Lamb)—who has now been promoted to Minister—when he said: ““This is a staggering conflict of interest which completely undermines the Tories’ claim that the NHS would be safe in their hands””?

Answer: If not abuse, then smear. I never received any money personally from the chief executive of Care UK. The Conservative party solicited and received donations that were declared in the normal way. They had no influence, and we would never permit any such influence over our party’s policies.

Secondary information