Tory volunteer who scandal hit MP Mark Menzies called at 3.15am begging for ... trends now
The 78-year-woman allegedly awoken at 3.15am by Mr Menzies demanding money because he had been locked up by 'bad people' is today revealed to be Katie Fieldhouse, a former Lady Mayoress of his Fylde constituency.
Speaking publicly for the first time about the extraordinary saga today, Mr Menzies' former campaign manager and life-long Tory activist told MailOnline she had been 'deeply distressed' by what had happened.
She said that as 'a devout Christian and a very devout Conservative' she was 'very sad' that Mr Menzies had allegedly put himself in that position.
Ms Fieldhouse confirmed that she had given a full account of that night to Chief Whip Simon Hart back in January, and said she felt let down that no action had been taken against him until the allegations were made public yesterday.
Speaking at her neat bungalow in Lytham St Annes, the respected local figure said Conservative voters in the upmarket seaside resort 'deserve better' from the party.
The 78-year-woman allegedly awoken at 3.15am by Mr Menzies demanding money because he had been locked up by 'bad people' is today revealed to be Katie Fieldhouse (pictured)
MP Mark Menzies (pictured) had the Tory whip suspended yesterday after the allegations surfaced
The 78-year-old confirmed she was awoken last December by an 'angry' Mr Menzies demanding thousands of pounds from local campaign funds in order for the 'bad people' holding him hostage to release him, saying it was 'a matter of life and death'.
Ms Fieldhouse said she 'didn't dispute' anything which had been reported about the saga by The Times.
'My main concern in all this is for the people of Fylde,' she said. 'It's very, very sad.
'I don't know what's going to happen now.
'I'm a Christian woman with morals and principles and I think that says everything.
'I was the one that reported his behaviour - I gave a full account to the Chief Whip when I reported it, that was on January 3.
'I didn't make a complaint, I reported my concerns.'
Asked if she was 'dubious' about Grant Shapps' claim on the Today programme this morning that Mr Menzies had the whip suspended yesterday because 'further information' came to light, and not necessarily because the allegations became public, Ms Fieldhouse said: 'You've come to the same conclusion as me.'
Questioned on whether the Conservative Party had treated her allegations sufficiently seriously up until yesterday, she replied: 'It was three and a half months ago –
