MP to petition Parliament on Christie Cash - 100,000 + signatures expected

9.18.31am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 6th May 2009

Lib Dem MP John Leech will present a copy of the 'Cash Back for Christie' petition to Parliament on Thursday as the Withington-based hospital steps up its efforts to recoup the money that it lost in last year's Icelandic banking collapse.

Prior to presenting the petition in the House of Commons, Mr Leech will join Christie bosses at 10 Downing Street to present the petition directly to the Prime Minister's office.

Just last month Mr Leech met with Kevin Brennan, the government minister responsible for the voluntary sector, pressing him to put pressure on the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), the independent body responsible for compensating customers of failed financial institutions, to provide compensation to The Christie.

John Leech said:

"I am delighted to be presenting this petition to the House of Commons on behalf of the Christie. The MEN campaign has been fantastic at generating interest in the issue and the fact that the petition is up to almost 100,000 signatures reflects the strength of feeling in Manchester about The Christie's money.

If the Christie were an individual the FSCS would be legally obliged to provide compensation, and the treasury select committee has recently argued that charities should also be reimbursed for any losses. I just hope that the hard work that has gone into the Cash Back for Christie campaign will pay off and money will be returned to The Christie so that future research projects can go ahead, unfettered by financial worries."

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Notes to editors

For more information on the MEN's Cash Back for Christie campaign see http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1113348_final_push_for_christie_petition

In March, John Leech tabled Early Day Motion 1037 calling for The Christie to be reimbursed for its losses:

CHRISTIE CHARITY AND THE FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPENSATION SCHEME

10.03.2009

Leech, John

That this House notes with dismay the decision by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme not to allow The Christie charity's claim for £6.5 million after the collapse of the UK-regulated bank Kaupthing, Singer and Friedlander; further notes that this decision will have no impact on services or jobs, but that it puts under threat future research developments and new buildings; recognises the outstanding healthcare and support provided by The Christie to cancer patients and their families and the contribution made by thousands of individuals who work tirelessly to raise money to support the work of The Christie; welcomes the plans by The Christie to apply for a judicial review to overturn the decision; and looks forward to the money being returned to The Christie.