Conservative deputy chairman Lee Anderson is to be sued over claims he made against a man running a food bank. Michael Hollis has instructed a solicitor firm to pursue libel proceedings against the MP.
On February 1, Mr Anderson published a Facebook post that claimed that "money had changed hands in brown envelopes" to allow a planning application put forward by Mr Hollis to be approved. Mr Hollis denies the allegations and has instructed Bindmans LLP to act for him.
In a statement, Bindmans said: “On February 1, 2023, Mr Anderson made defamatory allegations of bribery against a local man, Michael Hollis, who runs a food bank charity. Mr Anderson claimed in a Facebook post published to his 35,000 followers that money had changed hands in brown envelopes in relation to a planning application made by Mr Hollis.
“Mr Hollis is outraged by this allegation and, after Mr Anderson refused to remove his post, has taken the first steps towards a libel claim against him.”
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Along with the claim Mr Anderson posted a screenshot of a planning application made in Mr Hollis's name. It referred to a property in Silverhill Lane, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire. It was listed as a valid application on December 12, 2022, with a decision due by February 6.
Mr Anderson has been approached for comment. He was recently appointed to the role of deputy to Tory chairman Greg Hands.
The controversial MP was previously a Labour councillor before becoming a Conservative. He recently claimed that food banks were unnecessary and in an interview with The Spectator supported bringing back the death penalty.
