AN Aberdonian tycoon has given £20,000 to Michael Gove, according to the MPs’ Register of Interests.
In an update, published this week, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, revealed the whopping donation from Alan Massie on July 13.
It’s the second time the property developer boss of Carlton Rock has given money to Gove. Massie previously put £10,000 towards his failed leadership bid.
It’s not clear what the £20,000 will be used for. Gove’s office didn’t respond to The National’s request for a comment, and Massie could not be reached.
But the two men are passionate opponents of independence.
Gove is understood to be in charge of keeping the UK united, while last year, the businessman unveiled plans to bankroll different Unionist candidates in a bid to try to derail indyref2.
Speaking to the P&J in May 2019, Massie said his intention was “to protect the Union”.
He used to be one of Scottish Labour’s biggest donors. Between 2011 and 2016, he gave the party more than £400,000.
He’s also previously supported the LibDems.
Massie’s official residence is listed on Companies House as tax haven Jersey, although it’s understood he has a house in Aberdeen.
He’s is not always the best at picking winners. The businessman donated to Owen Smith, who lost a leadership challenge against Jeremy Corbyn in 2016, and Jim Murphy, who presided over the 2015 election in which his party lost 40 of its 41 Westminster seats.
He also supported former Scottish Tory MP Ross Thomson in a legal battle with SNP leader Ian Blackford.
Earlier this year, we revealed Massie backed Jackson Carlaw’s leadership campaign to the tune of £5000.
Carlaw was in post for just over five months before unexpectedly standing down.
Meanwhile, in an update to his register of interests, Douglas Ross revealed he had received a £20,000 donation from Alasdair Locke.
The money was for his campaign to be leader of the Scottish Conservative party, despite there being no contest.
The donation was received on July 31, 2020, just a day after Carlaw’s shock resignation.
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