David Mackintosh trial: Developer said he 'would fund campaign'

Howard Grossman, seen leaving court following a previous hearing, attended a fundraising dinner at the Carlton Club, the jury heard

A property developer said he would fund a prospective Conservative MP's election campaign, a trial has heard.

Howard Grossman is alleged to have made the remark at a fundraising dinner for David Mackintosh, who went on to win Northampton South in 2015.

Both men are accused of concealing the true source of political donations.

Mr Grossman, from Hertfordshire, and Mr Mackintosh, from Northampton, both deny the charges.

The court previously heard how in 2014, nine donations totalling £39,000 were paid into Mr Mackintosh's political fighting fund by a string of donors, when the source of the money was Mr Grossman.

David Mackintosh (pictured) and Howard Grossman are on trial at Warwick Crown Court

The former chairman of Northampton South Conservative Association (NSCA), Suresh Patel, was cross examined on the fifth day of the trial at Warwick Crown Court.

He described a fundraising dinner at the Carlton Club which he and Mr Mackintosh attended in December 2014 along with two dozen others.

'I was used'

Mr Patel, 66, said he had never met Mr Grossman before this event and alleged the Bushey based businessman told him "I've said to David I'll fund his campaign" after Mr Mackintosh introduced them.

It was "one of the worst fundraising events I've ever been to in my life. I felt like I was used" he recalled.

Mr Patel said he was asked at short notice to attend and collect ticket money off the guests but was subsequently told Mr Grossman would gather the money instead and transfer it to the Northampton South "fighting fund".

Former Northampton South Conservative Association chairman Suresh Patel

Mr Grossman's defence counsel, Neil Hawes KC, challenged Mr Patel about his attendance at the opening of Northampton's bus station in 2013 which Mr Mackintosh was closely involved in as the then leader of Northampton Borough Council.

Mr Grossman was also there alongside the then owner of Northampton Town Football Club, David Cardoza, Mr Hawes said.

Mr Hawes continued: "At the bus station opening I suggest you were approached about a donation (by Mr Grossman)."

"No-one approached me," Mr Patel answered.

'Never, never ever'

The barrister also asked whether the planned redevelopment of Northampton Town's Sixfields stadium was politically important?

"Yes," said Mr Patel.

He asked if he knew Mr Grossman was connected to 1st Land Ltd, the company involved in the Sixfields work, at that stage.

"No idea," was the answer.

Mr Hawes put it to Mr Patel that it was he who suggested to Mr Grossman that he would have to use third parties to make any donations to Mr Mackintosh, because of his close involvement in the Sixfields project.

"Never, never ever. I don't believe in doing things like that," said Mr Patel.

When asked if he advised Howard Grossman to disguise his donations due to his involvement in Northampton Town's stadium redevelopment, Mr Patel said "never"

Mr Mackintosh, of Station Road, Northampton, and Mr Grossman, 61, of Caldecote Gardens, Bushey, Hertfordshire, are both charged with two offences under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.

Both are accused of failing to ensure NSCA was provided with the correct information as to the source of donations, which were made between January and September 2014.

The trial is scheduled to continue on Monday.