David Mackintosh trial: Conservative given £10k after EastEnders visit

David Mackintosh, pictured, is on trial at Warwick Crown Court alongside property developer Howard Grossman

A former Conservative MP received £10,000 in political campaign donations after visiting the set of TV soap EastEnders, a court has heard.

Former MP for Northampton South David Mackintosh and property developer Howard Grossman are on trial accused of not declaring the true source of donations.

Both men deny the charges at Warwick Crown Court.

Mr Mackintosh was invited to the TV set by Mr Grossman's wife, jurors heard.

The court was told he made the visit on 8 May 2014 with Al Mayfield, Mrs Grossman and another man.

The following day, Mr Mayfield received a payment of £11,000 from 1st Land Ltd, a company controlled by Mr Grossman - the jury heard.

Prosecutor William Boyce KC then drew the court's attention to a bank statement indicating a subsequent payment to Northampton South Conservative Association of £10,000 from an "A. Mayfield".

Phone records also showed three calls from Mr Grossman to Mr Mayfield on the day before and the day of the EastEnders visit, Mr Boyce said.

He then read out emails from Mr Mackintosh, addressed to Mrs Grossman and Mr Mayfield, to express his gratitude: "Thank you so much for arranging today. Not something we will forget in a long time."

Mrs Grossman replied "it was a pleasure. Looking forward to seeing you both soon" - the court heard.

Howard Grossman, who is accused of not disclosing that he funded David Mackintosh's political campaign, pictured with wife Mandy

The event happened when Mr Mackintosh was the prospective parliamentary candidate for the Northampton South seat, which he won in 2015.

Mr Mackintosh, of Station Road, Northampton, and Mr Grossman, 61, of Caldecote Gardens, Bushey, Hertfordshire, both deny 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 continues.