LONDON (AP) — A British lawmaker who allegedly used campaign funds to pay off people who were holding him hostage said Sunday that he wouldn't seek reelection after the governing Conservative Party found his behavior fell below the standard expected of members of Parliament.
Mark Menzies' downfall is the latest in a series of scandals to hit the Conservatives, undermining support for a party that has been in power for the past 14 years as it prepares for a general election later this year.
The Times of London recently reported that Menzies called a 78-year-old aide at 3 a.m. in December asking for funds to pay off “bad people” who had locked him in an apartment and were demanding money for his release. Menzies' office manager ultimately paid 6,500 pounds ($8,100) from her personal bank account, which was reimbursed from funds donated by political backers, the newspaper said.
Menzies, who denies the allegations, has represented the seat of Fylde in northwest England since 2010.
“Due to the pressures on myself and my elderly mother, I have decided to resign from the Conservative Party and will not stand at the forthcoming general election," he said. “This has been a very difficult week for me, and I request that my family’s privacy is respected.”
Menzies' announcement came after the Conservatives announced the findings of an internal investigation into the matter.
The inquiry concluded that the payment had been authorized by two members of a local donors group that sits outside the Conservative Party, and therefore Menzies hadn't misused party funds.
“However, we do believe that there has been a pattern of behavior that falls below the standards expected of MPs and individuals looking after donations to local campaign funds which lie outside the direct jurisdiction of the Conservative Party,” the party said.
The opposition Labour Party has called for a police investigation into the matter. The Conservatives said they would share information with police if they decide to investigate.
The Conservatives have been in power since 2010, but they are trailing in opinion polls amid crumbling public services, high prices that are squeezing consumers and the corrosive effect of ethics scandals.
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who led the party to a landslide victory in 2019, resigned from the House of Commons after an investigation found that he deliberately misled Parliament about parties held at his Downing Street offices during lockdowns imposed to control the spread of COVID-19.
Other scandals include a lawmaker who was caught looking at porn in the House of Commons, another who reportedly offered to lobby on behalf of gambling firms and another alleged to have drunkenly groped strangers at a private club in London.
But ethical questions are also being asked of opposition politicians as the country prepares for an election that must be called by the end of this year.
Conservatives accuse Labour's deputy leader, Angela Rayner, of dodging taxes on the sale of a house sale years ago by falsely claiming it was her primary residence. Police say they are investigating. Rayner denies wrongdoing and hasn't been suspended by her party.
FILE - Undated handout photo issued by UK Parliament of Conservative MP Mark Menzies. Menzies, A British lawmaker who allegedly used campaign funds to pay off people who were holding him hostage said on Sunday April 21, 2024 that he wouldn't seek reelection after the governing Conservative Party found his behavior fell below the standard expected of members of Parliament. (Chris McAndrew/UK Parliament via AP, File)
CLEVELAND (AP) — José Soriano pitched six scoreless innings for his first career win as a starter and Mickey Moniak hit a three-run homer, powering the Los Angeles Angels to a 6-0 win over the Cleveland Guardians on Friday night.
Soriano (1-4), who pitched strictly in relief last season, allowed just five hits. The right-hander was only stressed once, working out of a jam in the fifth by striking out Andrés Giménez with the bases loaded.
Both of Soriano's career wins have been against Cleveland.
Amir Garrett pitched one inning and José Suarez the final two in LA's combined six-hitter.
Nolan Schanuel homered and Willie Calhoun had three hits for the Angels, who won for just the third time in their last 25 games at Progressive Field.
Moniak's shot with two outs in the fourth inning off Tanner Bibee (2-1) put the Angels up 5-0.
Calhoun and Logan O'Hoppe hit back-to-back doubles in the inning to make it 2-0.
With two outs, Bibee walked Ehire Adrianza and got a mound visit from Guardians pitching coach Carl Willis, who had barely returned to the dugout when Moniak smashed the first pitch over the wall in right-center.
Taylor Ward's sacrifice fly in the fifth put the Angels up by six runs.
Cleveland was shut out for the third time this season. The Guardians have lost four of five after starting 19-9.
Schanuel, who has hit safely in 12 of 13 games, battled Bibee for 11 pitches leading off the first before grounding out.
He wasn't as patient in the third, pouncing on the right-hander's first pitch for his third homer. The Angels have connected for at least one homer in 27 of 32 games.
TROUT SURGERY
Angels superstar Mike Trout had successful left knee surgery, and the team remains confident he'll be back sometime this season.
Manager Ron Washington spoke to Trout following the procedure to have a torn meniscus repaired and joked that he told the three-time MVP to “enjoy his rehab.”
Washington can't wait to get back Trout, who has missed significant time in each of the past four seasons with injuries. Trout was off to a great start with MLB-high 10 homers, 14 RBIs and six steals in 29 games.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Angels: Washington hopes INF Miguel Sanó (knee inflammation) will be able to come off the injured list when eligible. He was dealing with soreness in his surgically repaired knee and the team felt the best course of action was for him to go on the IL and allow it to “quiet down,” Washington said. ... INF Brandon Drury is expected back Saturday after being slowed by a sore neck.
Guardians: RHP Gavin Williams (elbow) has had no issues since resuming his throwing program earlier this week. A cortisone injection he received last week had the desired effect and the team has been encouraged by the 24-year-old's progress.
UP NEXT
Angels LHP Reid Detmers (3-2, 3.12 ERA) makes his fourth career start at Progressive Field. He'll face Cleveland's Ben Lively (0-1, 2.30).
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Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jose Soriano (59) delivers against the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning of a baseball game in Cleveland Friday, May. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
CORRECTS TO LOS ANGELES ANGELS NOT CALIFORNIA ANGELS - Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee delivers against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning of a baseball game in Cleveland, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
Los Angeles Angels' Nolan Schanuel is congratulated by his teammates after hitting a solo home run off Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee during the third inning of a baseball game in Cleveland Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
Los Angeles Angels' Nolan Schanuel watches his solo home run off Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee during the third inning of a baseball game in Cleveland Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
Los Angeles Angels third base coach Eric Young Sr., left, congratulates California Angels' Micky Moniak after his three-run home run off Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Cleveland Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
Cleveland Guardians' Bo Naylo, left, looks on as Los Angeles Angels' Nolan Schanuel (18) gestures after hitting a solo home run off Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee during the third inning of a baseball game in Cleveland, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
CORRECTS TO LOS ANGELES ANGELS NOT CALIFORNIA ANGELS - Los Angeles Angels' Zach Neto (9) forces Cleveland Guardians' Steven Kwan, right, at second base during the first inning of a baseball game in Cleveland Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
Los Angeles Angels' Logan O'Hoppe (14) congratulates Micky Moniak, right, after his three-run home run off Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee during the inning of a baseball game in Cleveland Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
Los Angeles Angels' Micky Moniak is greeted by his teammates after hitting a three-run home run off Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Cleveland Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jose Soriano delivers against the Cleveland Guardians during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Cleveland Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
