| Notes | In a little more than a year Rowland donated almost £2.8m, making him the Tories' largest benefactor. Exactly why a man who had not shown much interest in the party for at least a decade became an enthusiastic supporter remains a mystery. He started with a sum of £1m in June last year, and continued to give as the general election drew nearer. By June this year, Cameron had appointed him to be his party treasurer. Rowland pronounced it a "tremendous honour". That appointment, however, may have placed him on a collision course with the Conservative party's better-known benefactor, Michael Ashcroft. In the time Rowland donated more than £1m to the Tory party, Lord Ashcroft, through his corporate vehicle, Bearwood Corporate Services, donated around £100,000, although his support of the party dates back far earlier. |