Vitol chief gives Scottish Tories £100k donation

THE Scottish Tories have received one of their biggest donations from the controversial businessman Ian Taylor – a contribution worth £100,000.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson. Picture: Lesley Martin

Mr Taylor, the chief executive of oil company Vitol, came under fire from the SNP during the referendum after he gave Better Together more than £500,000.

It emerged his company had links to the Serbian war criminal Arkan and it was claimed Vitol had avoided tax.

Last night an SNP spokesman said: “If her party has accepted a donation from Mr Taylor it raises serious questions about Ruth Davidson’s judgment. The Tories should do the right thing and hand the money back.”

Taylor came under fire after he gave Better Together more than 500,000. Picture: Getty

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The revelation comes as sources in the Scottish Conservatives say they are “on track” to have their biggest election war chest for Holyrood with a target of having £1.2 million to spend.

The Tories have pointed out that Mr Taylor was lauded by the SNP when in 2009 and 2010 the Taylor Family Trust gave a total of £50,000 to Sistema Scotland.

A spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives said: “We are very pleased that a Scottish business leader of Mr Taylor’s experience and standing has seen fit to back us ahead of next year’s elections.”

Mr Taylor said: “I believe the Scottish Conservatives are best placed to promote the Union going into next year’s Scottish elections.”