Tory MP David Mundell needs to give some straight answers over how much money he has received for his campaigns from the non-dom Lord Ashcroft according to LibDem Westminster Candidate for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale, Catriona Bhatia.

Commenting following revelations that senior Tories knew that Mr Ashcroft had reneged on his “deal” to pay taxes in the UK when he accepted his peerage Catriona Bhatia said;

“It is quite wrong for someone not paying taxes in this country to sit in our legislature. It is also clear that Lord Ashcroft’s millions have paid for Tory candidates to campaign in marginal seats, of which this constituency is one.

“Mr Mundell should tell the people of Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale, who pay their UK taxes, why his party knowingly allowed Mr Ashcoft to take his seat in the House of Lords whilst at the same time avoiding paying tax in this country. His tax bill would have been considerable and could have helped to support services and jobs in our area.”