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A Cabinet minister today defended large donations to the Tories from a group of wealthy supporters, saying supporting political parties should not be portrayed as an 'immoral act'.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps hit out amid a cash for access row involving the party and its co-chairman Ben Elliot.
On Monday, the Financial Times reported a group known as the Advisory Board had been developed to connect Tory supporters with senior party figures.
The group, which made donations of up to £250,000, have had regular meetings and calls with Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak, it claimed.
Mr Shapps was asked on BBC Radio 4's Today programme whether Advisory Board members are able to influence Government policy decisions.
The minister said: 'I have to say there are a lot of people in this country who believe in this country and want to see it prosper and may have views about the things that will make the country prosper.
'Supporting a political party should not, in my view, be painted as some sort of immoral act.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps hit out amid a cash for access row involving the party and its co-chairman Ben Elliot.