Fundraiser worth £1m a year to Scots Tories stands down

THE leading fundraiser for the Scottish Conservatives, Sir Jack Harvie, has quit the post just two months into the leadership of Ruth Davidson.

Sir Jack, who had raised the bulk of the £1 million annual funds for the Conservatives in Scotland, will now “not be playing any role in the party whatsoever” in a major blow to Ms Davidson.

The tycoon’s decision comes after he previously attacked Murdo Fraser, Ms Davidson’s rival in last year’s bitter leadership election, who he accused of “scandalising” the party in Scotland and warned that his multi-million pound funding streams would be cut off from the new “separatist party” that was proposed by the defeated candidate.

Ms Davidson paid tribute to Sir Jack, who raised a total of £16m from gala dinners hosted by his Focus on Scotland organisation.

The new leader said Sir Jack had “decided to take a more backseat role” in the party, despite a spokesman for the construction magnate insisting that he would not be involved in promoting the Scottish Conservatives in any way.

Ms Davidson is thought to have been hoping to secure financial backing from Sir Jack, who staged £20,000-a-head dinners at his multi-million-pound estate at Mugdock, near Glasgow, and has played host to Tory Prime Ministers – Margaret Thatcher, John Major and David Cameron.

Sir Jack’s financial muscle and fundraising events would have helped the party’s campaign for May’s local government election, as well as boosting the coffers of the anti-independence lobby in the referendum campaign.

The news came after it emerged that grain tycoon Malcolm Scott has retired as party treasurer, with James Stewart, a director of a London-based private-equity firm taking over the role.

A spokesman for Sir Jack said: “Sir Jack Harvie CBE, the longest-serving and unrivalled fundraiser for the Scottish Conservative Party, has decided to retire from his role. Over a period of 28 years’ voluntary service he has raised an estimated £16m for the Tories.

“Sir Jack has thoroughly enjoyed his time as party fundraiser and wishes the Scottish Conservative Party every success for the future.”

Meanwhile, Ms Davidson promised to create a “more sustainable” funding system and bigger “donor base” for the Scottish Conservatives.

She said: “At the age of 75 and with decades of long service behind him, Sir Jack Harvey has decided to take a more backseat role but continues to be a valued supporter of the Scottish Conservative party.

“On a personal note, I should like to thank him for all that he has contributed to the party through the years.

“On wider financial issues, the Scottish Conservative Party’s new treasurer, James Stewart, was announced to the party’s executive meeting on Thursday night. Retiring treasurer, Malcolm Scott, remains on board as part of the expanded treasurer’s team, which will be announced in full at the party conference in March.”