Rebel former Tory Dominic Grieve today issued a request to the public to stop donating to his election war chest because it is overflowing.
The former attorney general, inset, said he had been overwhelmed with donations and offers of help since he announced he was standing in his Beaconsfield constituency in Buckinghamshire as an independent to continue his battle in Parliament against Brexit.
Mr Grieve served 22 years in the seat as a Conservative before being stripped of the party whip for voting to rule out a no-deal Brexit.
He told the Evening Standard: “In 10 days we have been able to raise not only enough money to fight the campaign proper, which is £15,700, but also raise and spend another £20,000 in the pre-campaign period. We are now in fact telling people to stop sending us funds.
“I am immensely grateful to the many people who have sent small donations and the very generous larger donors who have helped.”
Meanwhile, the local Conservative association is yet to name a candidate — and party members are being kept in the dark about which names they will be allowed to choose between when a selection meeting is held tomorrow.
A spokesman said: “Conservative associations follow a selection process within the party constitution. Members will be provided with details of the candidates at the selection meeting.”
General Election 2019 - In pictures
