A MULTI-MILLIONAIRE Tory donor travelled around 580 miles from his London home to his Aberdeenshire estate while the UK was under a strict coronavirus lockdown, The National can reveal.
Christopher Moran, who owns the 48,000-acre Cabrach and Glenfiddich Estate, made the trip around December 27, after the whole of mainland Scotland had been placed onto the highest level 4 Covid restrictions.
London, where Moran lives in Crosby Hall, a 15th-century Tudor manor on the banks of the Thames, went into tier 4 “stay at home” lockdown six days before Christmas.
It is understood that while on his Scottish estate Moran mixed with another household. However, police attended and decided no action was required.
Chief Inspector Norman Stevenson, the area commander for Moray, said: “We received a report on Sunday, December 27, 2020 of an individual having travelled from London to Aberdeenshire and holding a gathering potentially in breach of Scottish Government regulations.
“Officers engaged with those involved and explained the regulations involved. An explanation was provided for the journey and the gathering and no further action was required.”
This is the second time that Moran has faced questions after making the 580-mile trip.
In May The National revealed that he had travelled from his home in Chelsea to Cabrach and Glenfiddich. Then, the police also said: “The man provided an explanation for his travel and no further action was required.”
READ MORE: Tory donor makes 500-mile trip to Highlands during lockdown
Speaking then, the MSP for Moray, Richard Lochhead, said: “500 miles is in anyone’s book a very lengthy trip, and I’m sure Mr Moran’s neighbours in the Cabrach will be wondering what was so essential that he needed to drive such a long way and who else he brought with him to visit his second home.”
After the latest trip came to light, a Scottish Government spokesperson told The National: “Everyone has a responsibility in observing the public health restrictions in place to help reduce the spread of the virus, protect the NHS and save lives.
“Operational policing decisions clearly are a matter for the Chief Constable but ministers have been consistently clear that we want to see these laws work through high levels of public compliance, rather than relying on enforcement.
“Police Scotland has consistently adopted the ‘four Es’ approach where they will engage, explain, encourage and only then enforce where required to protect public health.”
Moran, a Tory donor who once described himself as “astronomically wealthy” and is worth hundreds of millions according to the Sunday Times Rich List, is a controversial figure for the Conservatives. It is estimated he has donated at least £290,000 to the party.
Moran came under scrutiny after David Cameron was elected prime minister. It was rumoured the Tories had accepted his money, and then rushed to pay it back before an Electoral Commission deadline forced them to reveal his identity. The Conservatives reportedly rejected his offers of donations while led by John Major, and later by Iain Duncan Smith.
According to The Independent, Moran saw his reputation ruined when, in 1982, he was expelled from Lloyd’s of London for “discreditable conduct”. He was censured by the Stock Exchange four years later and in 1992 fined $2 million (£1.15m) in New York for insider dealing.
Moran did not respond to The National’s requests for comment.
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