UNDER-FIRE MP Sir Nicholas Winterton has suffered another setback as a Conservative leader admitted concerns had been raised within the local party over the trust fund scandal.

During a week when the outspoken parliamentarian admitted feeling the strain but declined to talk further about the scandal to Express readers, the Conservative Association has, though, vowed to stand by him nonetheless.

Members of Sir Nick’s constituency association "voiced concerns" to their chairman, Coun Elizabeth Gilliland, about their representative’s paying of rent expenses into a trust fund on a London property he already owns.

But they will support him as their candidate for the next election and the 69-year-old has vowed to fight through the furore.

It is not only association members who are concerned – one of the Express’ biggest ever post bags has seen readers less than happy about Sir Nick’s conduct, and even the leader of the Conservative Party, David Cameron, has branded his actions "indefensible".

Although a poll on the Express website found that readers overwhelmingly thought Winterton had done nothing wrong.

Coun Gilliland said: "I have had a few members voicing concerns but that’s about it. I have had a discussion with Sir Nick and it is up to him. We are not looking to displace him."

In light of strong opinion over Sir Nick’s behaviour the Express offered him the platform of a whole page to explain his conduct, and, on another occasion, an entire page to answer readers’ questions – but both times the long-serving member declined to take up our offer.

The Express caught up with Sir Nick, at a housing association initiative launch last Friday (February 8), after he had only spoken through a general statement to all media, and asked him how he was feeling in light of national interest over his actions.

He said: "As well as can be expected. I have done nothing wrong in the eyes of the law. Many people are seeking to minimise their inheritance tax."

Asked if he would be standing for re-election, he said: "I have been re-selected and that speaks for itself, clearly it is my intention to stand."

Sir Nick is back out and about in his constituency this week. He will be making appearances on Thursday, February 14 at:


* Silk Industry Museum on Park Lane, Macclesfield, at 11am, to meet with Richard de Peyer, David Nelson and Professor Sir Francis Graham Smith to discuss current developments at Macclesfield Museums Trust.
* The main reception of Macclesfield Town Hall at 1pm to meet Craig Wallace, Accessibility Manager for Macclesfield Borough Council, to record a sound bite supporting the Wheels to Work campaign.
* Macclesfield Town Hall at 2pm, to hand over a petition to MBC with the Poynton Against Tesco Group.
* Macclesfield Police Station, Brunswick Street at 4pm, to meet with John Armstrong, Acting Chief Superintendent for Cheshire Constabulary, with his wife Lady Ann Winterton MP.