Energy and property tycoons’ support for ex-welsh Secretary
ALUN Cairns MP’S election campaign last year was bankrolled with the help of a London property developer and a Ukrainian energy tycoon, we can reveal.
We have looked through the declarations of interest of Welsh MPS to see who they have received funding from.
Our investigation shows that Clydach-raised former Welsh Secretary Mr Cairns, who resigned after questions emerged over his support for an aide who collapsed a rape trial, received significant funds from the property and energy industries.
Over the past decade the Vale of Glamorgan MP and former AM has received several large donations as well as tickets to expensive events.
In June last year Mr Cairns received a £5,000 donation from Ukrainian Alexander Temerko.
Mr Temerko is a Ukrainian-born oil and gas businessman.
His companies have been engaged in a range of infrastructure sectors including offshore oil and gas, offshore renewables, interconnectors and onshore gas.
In total, Temerko has given Conservative politicians more than £1 million since the Kremlin-connected entrepreneur obtained British citizenship in 2011. Reuters reported that he supported efforts to oust former PM Theresa May and aired the fears of critics who question his influence on UK politics.
One donation to Mr Cairns came from one of Mr Termerko’s companies – AQUIND Ltd.
This is not the first time Mr Termerko has given Mr Cairns cash. In April 2014 he gave another £5,000 in a personal donation. This was followed in September of the same year with £5,000 but this time from another one of his companies – Offshore Group Newcastle Ltd.
It was not just Temerko who contributed to the Swansea-born politician’s election campaign.
London-based property developer Marc Pennick gave him £2,000 in September last year and then another £1,000 in November, right on the eve of the election.
This adds up to £8,000, over 50% of the £15,179.20 Mr Cairns spent on the election.
When we approached Mr Pennick asking why he was financially backing an MP in South Wales, he replied: “My donations are made directly from me. Nothing to do with Avanton.
“My donations to Alun Cairns MP was made because he’s a bloody good MP and works hard for his constituents.”
When we called and emailed Mr Cairns he refused to respond to our requests for comment.