Kitty Donaldson

Chief Political Commentator at The i Paper. Ex-Political Ed for Bloomberg News. I've been reporting from Westminster since 2003. [email protected]

[The i Paper @theipaper]

Opinion | The old-fashioned conviction politician was fierce in politics and generous in private

🖊️ Kitty Donaldson

Read more: https://t.co/8ZNqLbfX3p

[Kitty Donaldson @kitty_donaldson]

I wrote this piece this morning before the police said they were investigating.

[Kitty Donaldson @kitty_donaldson]

Ann Widdecombe: battleaxe and innocent rolled into one.

My thoughts on a conversation we shared over dinner recently: https://t.co/d9vxAsBVYu

[Kitty Donaldson @kitty_donaldson]

The Immigration and Asylum Bill is due back in the Commons on Monday, with opponents calling for a pause, and warning they will vote against the legislation unless the proposals are watered down.

[Kitty Donaldson @kitty_donaldson]

EXC: Nearly 80 Labour MPs have signed a private letter urging Andy Burnham to retreat on Shabana Mahmood’s immigration reforms @theipaper has been told.

https://t.co/ddJEmVFmLp

With Richard Vaughan and @cazjwheeler

[Kitty Donaldson @kitty_donaldson]

EXC: Labour MP Al Carns bowed out after a senior ally of Andy Burnham told @theipaper he only had “three backers, and one is him”.

“The chance of him getting defence secretary is incredibly low” & Carns would probably remain on the backbenches.

https://t.co/9WiJqKiERT

[Kitty Donaldson @kitty_donaldson]

Terrific exclusive from Caroline 👇🏼

[caroline wheeler @cazjwheeler]

Exclusive: Police are investigating a political donation made to Robert Jenrick’s campaign to be Conservative leader, The i Paper can reveal.

The Metropolitan Police has been examining claims that a £37,500 donation originated from a foreign donor, following a referral from the Electoral Commission.

The force has now launched an investigation into the allegations.

Jenrick has repeatedly denied breaking any electoral laws.

A Met Police spokesperson confirmed: “We have launched an investigation following a referral from the Electoral Commission on Tuesday 6 January concerning donations connected to a political party’s leadership campaign. The investigation remains ongoing.”

The allegations relate to a £100,000 donation Jenrick’s leadership campaign received from British entrepreneur Phillip Ullmann, via a company called Spott Fitness, during his 2024 campaign.

However, it has been claimed that £37,500 of this amount originated from a US business associate of Ullmann, Gary Klopfenstein, who has subsequently been convicted of fraud. Ullmann and Klopfenstein are now in a legal dispute.

Ullmann claims he repeatedly warned that some of the money was being supplied by Klopfenstein, according to legal correspondence seen by this newspaper.

[caroline wheeler @cazjwheeler]

Exclusive: Police are investigating a political donation made to Robert Jenrick’s campaign to be Conservative leader, The i Paper can reveal.

The Metropolitan Police has been examining claims that a £37,500 donation originated from a foreign donor, following a referral from the Electoral Commission.

The force has now launched an investigation into the allegations.

Jenrick has repeatedly denied breaking any electoral laws.

A Met Police spokesperson confirmed: “We have launched an investigation following a referral from the Electoral Commission on Tuesday 6 January concerning donations connected to a political party’s leadership campaign. The investigation remains ongoing.”

The allegations relate to a £100,000 donation Jenrick’s leadership campaign received from British entrepreneur Phillip Ullmann, via a company called Spott Fitness, during his 2024 campaign.

However, it has been claimed that £37,500 of this amount originated from a US business associate of Ullmann, Gary Klopfenstein, who has subsequently been convicted of fraud. Ullmann and Klopfenstein are now in a legal dispute.

Ullmann claims he repeatedly warned that some of the money was being supplied by Klopfenstein, according to legal correspondence seen by this newspaper.

[Kitty Donaldson @kitty_donaldson]

But can he beat Count Binface?

[Esther Webber @estwebber]

David Miliband should stand in Clacton

[Kitty Donaldson @kitty_donaldson]

This is the country that loves calling ships Boaty McBoatface

[Kitty Donaldson @kitty_donaldson]

Wonder if the Monster Raving Loonies throw their support behind the bin as the anti-Farage candidate

[Kitty Donaldson @kitty_donaldson]

Wonder if the Monster Raving Loonies throw their support behind the bin as the anti-Farage candidate

[Count Binface @CountBinface]

I am binevitable.

[Kitty Donaldson @kitty_donaldson]

NEW: Nigel Farage will ask the voters of Clacton to believe the narrative that "they" are coming for him, and therefore "they" are coming for them too.

His financial woes are framed as a proxy for voters' woes. They'll probably turn out in their droves

https://t.co/VMSYSAzASD

[Kitty Donaldson @kitty_donaldson]

Unlikely that the by-election is delayed until the Standards Commissioner has reported, govt sources say

[Kitty Donaldson @kitty_donaldson]

Nigel Farage calls by-election in Clacton-on-Sea so his voters "can stick two fingers up to the establishment"

[Kitty Donaldson @kitty_donaldson]

By-election could be held as soon as Aug 13, according to govt sources, if the writ is moved tomorrow or Thursday