Grant Shapps admits interview error over second job

Conservative Party chairman Grant Shapps has said he was mistaken over the dates of his outside employment when speaking to LBC.

In an interview with Shelagh Fogarty three weeks ago, Mr Shapps said "to be absolutely clear I don't have a second job and I have never had a second job whilst being an MP".

Meanwhile the Guardian issued what it says is a recording of a sales pitch made in the summer of 2006 by Mr Shapps, using his Michael Green pen name.

Mr Shapps' directorship and shareholding in the firm How to Corp Ltd was declared in the Parliamentary register of members interests.

Conservative sources said Mr Shapps did not regard his interest in his firm as "a second job" - as the company was being wound up at the time - and more of "a hobby on the side".