Tory chairman Richard Holden dodges questions about being ‘parachuted into safe seat’
The Tory party chairman has refused to answer questions about his selection controversy after he was chosen to stand in a “safe seat” 300 miles away from his former constituency.
Richard Holden was chosen to be the Conservatives’ parliamentary candidate in Basildon and Billericay in Essex last week, after being the only candidate on the list.
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The choice sparked a furore among local Tories as before the election was called he was the MP for North West Durham – an area hundreds of miles away, which he claimed to be “bloody loyal” to.
Basildon and Billericay is seen as a “safe seat” with its former MP John Baron, who has stood down for the election, winning a majority of more than 20,000 in 2019.
Mr Holden refused to engage with questions about the row when speaking to broadcasters on Sunday.
Asked multiple times how he could justify being “parachuted into a safe seat” with a shortlist of just one, he went on a tangent about Labour’s policy to tax private school fees, and comments made by shadow minister Emily Thornberry.
He said: “This interview is about Emily Thornberry’s comments today when she admitted that it is going to be our children across the country paying the price for Labour’s decision to try and tax private schools if they get into office.”
Mr Holden was referring to Ms Thornberry saying that class sizes in state schools may increase as a result of Labour adding VAT to private school fees, which could see some pupils leave the independent sector.
He said: “That I think is a horrendous price to pay… for Labour’s ideological obsession.”
Asked to deny if he was part of a “stich-up” with his seat selection, Mr Holden again pointed to Ms Thornberry’s comments.
Asked why he said in February he was “bloody loyal” to the North East – where he has been an MP since 2019 – he claimed he has answered questions about the selection row on Channel 4.
It was put to him that C4 is one broadcaster and he was taking part in a pool clip – which sees broadcasters share their footage – but Mr Holden would still not be drawn in on the matter.
Holden ‘a disgrace to the Conservative Party’
His refusal to answer the questions drew a fierce condemnation from one Tory candidate, who told Sky’s deputy political editor Sam Coates he is a “disgrace to the Conservative Party”.
They added: “He’s put himself over candidates. He’s shown complete disdain for party members. The only reason this fool won’t be associated with this disastrous election is because nobody believes anyone thinks he competent, capable or trusted enough to be involved in the day-to-day decision making of this campaign.
“It’s a running joke amongst candidates that they hope it’s a Labour gain in Basildon and Billericay.”
Former defence secretary Sir Liam Fox gave a more muted criticism, telling Sky News: “I think when politicians stop answering questions directly, the public stop listening.”
Labour Party chairwoman Anneliese Dodds said: “Ric Holden is running the Tory election campaign.
“If chicken-run Ric can’t stand the heat, he should get out of the kitchen.”
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PM ‘out on road over next few days’
Mr Holden also faced questions about Rishi Sunak, who has been accused of avoiding the media as the row over his early exit from an international D-Day event continues.
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Sunak avoids D-Day questions
Asked if he is hiding, Mr Holden said: “The prime minister will be out on the road, I’m sure, over the next few days, fighting for every vote right across the country.”
Mr Sunak has been campaigning in Yorkshire without the usual media pack today after facing accusations of “dodging” reporters’ questions on Saturday as the row over his D-Day snub rumbles on.
The prime minister was forced to apologise on Friday for skipping an international ceremony attended by world leaders including US President Joe Biden to mark the 80th anniversary of the allied landings.
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But backlash has continued to pile in from rivals, veterans and some within his own party, with Conservative commentator Tim Montgomerie branding the early departure “the biggest gaffe I can remember in politics”.
The continued criticism, which comes amid a 20-point poll deficit, has even fuelled speculation Mr Sunak could resign before polling day – something cabinet minister Mel Stride was forced to shut down on Sunday.
He told Sky News Mr Sunak will “absolutely” lead the party into the election.
“There should be no question of anything other than that,” he said.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq over allegations she lived in properties linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.
It comes after the current Bangladeshi leader, Muhammad Yunus, said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated.
He told the Sunday Times the properties should be handed back to his government if they were acquired through “plain robbery”.
Tory leader Ms Badenoch said: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.
“He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption.
“Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”
Ms Siddiq insists she has “done nothing wrong”.
Her aunt was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.
Ms Siddiq is also named with her aunt in Bangladesh court documents about meetings with the Russian government.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir to sack the minister
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As economic secretary to the Treasury, Ms Siddiq is responsible for policy on both the City and tackling corruption.
She referred herself to the prime minister’s ethics watchdog on Monday following the reports about the properties.
On the same day, the prime minister said: “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that’s why we brought into being the new code.
“It’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”
Police in Aberdeen have widened the search area for two sisters who disappeared four days ago in the city.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, both 32, were last seen on CCTV on Market Street after leaving their home on Tuesday at around 2.12am.
The sisters – who are part of a set of triplets and originally from Hungary – crossed the Victoria Bridge to the Torry area and turned right on to a footpath next to the River Dee.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti were last seen on CCTV in Market Street. Pic: Police Scotland/PA
They headed in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club but officers said there is no evidence to suggest the missing women left the immediate area.
Specialist search teams, police dogs and a marine unit have been trying to trace the pair.
The sisters crossed Victoria Bridge before walking along a footpath next to the River Dee
The pair were heading in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club on the south side of the River Dee
Further searches are being carried out towards the Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour and Duthie Park.
Police Scotland said it is liaising with authorities in Hungary to support the relatives of the two sisters.
Chief Inspector Darren Bruce said: “Eliza and Henrietta’s family are understandably extremely worried about them and we are working tirelessly to find them.
“We are seriously concerned about them and have significant resources dedicated to the inquiry.”
The sisters, from Aberdeen city centre, are described as slim with long brown hair.
Henrietta Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Eliza Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Officers have requested businesses in and around the South Esplanade and Menzies Road area to review their CCTV footage for the early morning of Tuesday 7 January.
Police added they are keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from that time.
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