Local MP Lobbies Minister for Christies Cash Back

10.21.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 22nd Apr 2009

John supports the Christie campaign

John Leech MP met with the Government Minister for the Third Sector yesterday, to make it clear that Christies should get their money back.

John, who supports the Manchester Evening News' campaign to get Christies the £6.5 million it lost when an Icelandic bank collapsed, made it clear to the minister that, contrary to claims from both Brown and Darling, the bank was regulated in Great Britain, not Iceland.

John Leech who has raised this matter in Parliament said, "I have urged the minister to recognise the strength of Christie's case, and for the Government to adopt the recommendations of the Treasury Select Report that all charities should be compensated in full."

Christie's claim to recoup the money it lost was rejected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) last month, and since then there has been overwhelming support for the pioneering cancer hospital, in its fight to recover the lost money.

John Leech added, "Christies provides outstanding health care and support to cancer patients and their families. The decision by the FSCS puts under threat future research developments and new buildings, and I will continue to fight for Christies to get their cash back."