Rugby hero donates £100,000 to Tories

Published on Sunday 3 May 2009 19:52

FORMER Grand Slam winning Scotland rugby captain Jim Aitken yesterday announced his support for the Conservatives.

Mr Aitken, now one of the country's leading businessmen, is to donate 100,000 to the party.

"I think David Cameron and Annabel Goldie are the people who will provide that leadership and make the tough decisions," he said. "At some point over the next 12 months, the Prime Minister will have to call a general election.

"The fight to form the next government will be between this discredited Labour Party and the Conservatives. A vote for the SNP and Liberal Democrats will be a wasted vote."

Mr Aitken won 24 caps for Scotland between 1977-84 and captained the Grand Slam side in 1984. Tory leader Annabel Goldie said it was a sign of the "growing backing" for the party in Scot land – with Gavin Hastings, another former Scotland rugby captain, also due to appear at the party's conference this month.

Andrew Fulton, the party's chairman in Scotland, thanked Mr Aitken for his donation.

"The backing of well-known Scots like Jim is a huge boost to our resurgent party," he said.

"We are ready for the general election and planning for the change which our country so desperately needs."

Leading QC Paul McBride last week announced his support for the Tories.