1/5 Patrick Heneghan finally admits the leaked report is true - there was a secret parallel campaign in 2017.

But it wasn't 'legal' as he claims - spending MUST be authorised by the Leader's campaign committee.

Ergon House was therefore ultra vires. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/patrick-heneghan-hitlist-mps-2017-election-forde_uk_5f46c61fc5b697186e304d21?utm_hp_ref=uk-politics&guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly90LmNvLzlxWHJIRmo4ZWs_YW1wPTE&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAACd06PBZKN86vG6n0gb_tnbGM6zFpiNWAzfvwCW-NfX0KR8vq7KueGmXWQ0e1cozMFkTkvh65ENrBcjEkb0INWZssglEu35CC5fIVAlYcUmiTz0M0vHvn-iP4QIroxJh7-Cl2it-t3wZS6QglhpsXEZW3ORVvwO4VFdnlIhmKfzZ

2/5 The party's constitution is clear: the Leader calls the shots - rightly, because the Leader has to resign if things go wrong.

The 5 constituencies Heneghan cites here are a red herring because ALL of them were funded right through the campaign (even Ian Austin's Dudley N!)

3/5 It's absurd to use 2019 results to justify ultra vires spending on the 13 seats taken off the list in 2017 (having had 5 weeks' funding).

In 2017, the polls had narrowed. We needed the money to WIN seats. None of the 13 was at risk, and that was no one but JC's call to make.

4/5 Heneghan's claim to have been given alternative names is just more deflection.

Hemsworth, Newport W and Hayes & Harlington were on HIS list for support - I have his email!

Besides, it's normal to fund shadow ministers because of the time they spend on the national campaign.

5/5 Forget the red herrings, the issue here is simple:

The party leader should not be deceived in this way (imagine if left officials did this to Keir Starmer).

The #FordeInquiry must hold these former officials to account.

A party that wants to govern needs proper governance.

Footnote

I have submitted a substantial amount evidence to the #FordeInquiry and look forward to answering any questions they have.