A MULTI-MILLIONAIRE Tory donor is facing questions after it emerged he travelled more than 500 miles to visit his sprawling Highland estate during lockdown.
Dr Christopher Moran, a wealthy London businessman, owns the 48,000-acre Cabrach and Glenfiddich Estate in Aberdeenshire.
The National understands he travelled from his medieval Crosby Hall home in central London to his estate in Scotland on Friday. A Police Scotland officer spoke to the long-time Conservative donor but said no action was required.
Chief Inspector Norman Stevenson, area commander for Moray, said: “We received a report of an individual travelling between London and the Aberdeenshire area on Friday, May 1. Officers engaged with the man and explained current physical distancing guidelines. The man provided an explanation for his travel and no further action was required.”
However, Scotland’s Rural Affairs Secretary had said there are still questions to be answered on why the journey was made while only “essential” travel is allowed under current restrictions.
Richard Lochhead (below) told The National: “Apart from essential trips, the stay at home message applies to everyone if we are to protect the NHS and save lives.
“500 miles is in anyone’s book a very lengthy trip and I’m sure Mr Moran’s neighbours in the Cabrach will be wondering what was so essential that he needed to drive such a long way and who else he brought with him to visit his second home.”
The Tory donor, who once described himself as “astronomically wealthy” and is worth hundreds of millions according to the Sunday Times Rich List, is a controversial figure for the party. It is estimated he has donated at least £290,000 to the Conservative Party on a personal basis and through his companies.
In late 2018 The Sunday Times claimed more than 100 prostitutes have been listed online as working from flats inside the Chelsea Cloisters building he owns. There was no suggestion that he or the management of the block knew anything about their activities, and Moran’s representatives said he had a “zero-tolerance policy” towards prostitution on the premises and added: “Any suggestion that Dr Moran or the management of Chelsea Cloisters has, or would, in any way knowingly allow or even tolerate the premises being used for prostitution would be utterly false.”
In January 2019, months before he became prime minister, Johnson was found to have paid £2600 for a seat on Moran’s private jet before the Sunday Times story broke.
Johnson took the private jet while returning from the 2018 DUP conference with Moran, who is the chairman of “peace-building charity” Co-operation Ireland. As Johnson spoke at the event he thanked his “friend” Moran. He said: “I would like to begin by thanking my friend, Christopher Moran, for everything he has done for Northern Ireland, and for helping me to secure this invitation.”
Moran did not respond to The National’s request for comment.
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