Charity lost out to Tory donor on £141m deal

A MAJOR Tory party donor picked up a £141 million contract to run the new “back to work” programme in Scotland, among almost £1.5 billion of contracts awarded to it by the coalition, it has emerged.

The revelation by the Cabinet Office over contracts to Deloitte have led to new questions over why a Glasgow social enterprise company, the Wise Group, lost out on the contract.

Deloitte donated £675,000 to the Tories, including £27,000 to employment minister Chris Grayling, who was responsible for the contract.

Mr Grayling has been cleared of any wrongdoing and the UK government has said there was no conflict of interest.

But last night, Labour Glasgow North West MP John Robertson said: “This whole affair leaves a bad taste in the mouth, from the very start.

“It is shameful to see such a large contract not going to a local charity like the Wise Group.”