Man sentenced as part of investigation into concealed political donations

A 67-year-old man has been sentenced as part of an investigation into donations made to a Conservative constituency party. 

At an earlier court hearing at Leamington Crown Court on October 23, Gary Platt, of West Drive, Harrow, pleaded guilty to passing and disguising money provided by businessman - Howard Grossman, to the election fund of Conservative MP - David Mackintosh in 2014. 

Both Mackintosh and Grossman were cleared of any wrongdoing in relation to political donations at the end of a trial last week (November 21) at Leamington Crown Court. 

Platt’s part in the case involved him acting as an “agent” by concealing the source of the donations of which he was making to the Northampton South Conservative Association. 

A person providing a donation over £500 to a political party is legally required to give details of the source of the funds. 

Platt was charged in June 2021 with an Agency offence under the Political Parties Elections and Referendums Act 2000 and was sentenced last Friday (November 24) to seven months in prison, suspended for eight months, and ordered to pay costs totalling £1800. 

Senior Investigating Officer – Martin Kinchin said: “I am pleased to see Gary Platt sentenced for his part in this case. 

“Howard Grossman has never denied that his company provided £45,000 in disguised payments to fund the 2015 election campaign of David Mackintosh. 

“Whilst the jury in his own trial could not be sure if the payments were disguised on the instructions of the Conservative Party, the actions of Howard Grossman have led to five of his friends and wider associates being convicted.”