London - The British Conservative Party has received a pledge of £5 million from a wealthy businessman, party chairman Mr Michael Ancram said last night.
It is understood that the donation - made up of £1 million now, with £4 million more to follow before the General Election - is the largest made to a political party in the UK by a single person. The donor is Mr Stuart Wheeler, chairman and chief executive of a spreadbetting company, the IG Group, Mr Ancram said.