MIDAS SHARE TIPS: Erik the Viking was right! The Conservative MP for Plymouth Moor View is a non-executive director of Crucial Academy, which trains military veterans and aims to find them employment. Save up to 50% on Swimwear when you shop now. The job paid him 85,000 per year on top of his MPs salary. [50] For his work in Parliament, Mercer stays in a hotel on expenses. [18][19] [28], Mercer has been challenged over his expenses several times. John Luther Mercer (born 17 August 1981) is a British Conservative politician and former British Army officer. Mr Mercer, himself a former Army officer, is contracted to work 20 hours per month, a rate of more than 350 per hour. The best thing for him to do would be resign or give that money back., Mr Mercer said: Clearly there is a co-ordinated attempt to go after me at present the reasons for which are unclear., I will help London Capital and Finance investors in whatever way I can. Shop our favorite Dog Supplies finds at great prices.
Deals and discounts in Womens Active Shoes & Sneakers you dont want to miss. When added to the cost of Mr Mercer's 85,000 salary, the total almost exactly matches the amount loaned to Crucial Group. In the role, Mercer's responsibility includes armed forces personnel and veterans' welfare. An industry expert told the BBC the cost of training 80 people on the courses provided by Crucial would be about 240,000.
Conservative MP for Plymouth Moor View Johnny Mercer at his home in Cornwall, Retired teacher Peter Thornley, from Plymouth, had saved for years before investing in LCF. Mercer served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence People and Veterans from July 2019 until April 2021, when, after notifying the chief whip that he intended to resign, he was dismissed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Deals and discounts in Cookbooks you dont want to miss. [37], On 27 September 2019, Mercer was accused of having broken the ministerial code for not resigning from his role at a training firm whilst in government. This is Money is part of the Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday & Metro media group. What are the rules for MPs on second jobs? Deals and discounts in Nails you dont want to miss. These are the best Smartphones deals youll find online. Half of small businesses mull price rises in bid to Morses Club shares dive 40% as doorstep lender's future Amazon paid nearly 3bn of tax in the UK last year: Next PM to face Arm race? Mr Mercer said following the initiation of the probe that he would not be resigning and that he had "never met, heard of, or had any interest in" LCF and said there was a "co-ordinated effort to go after me". Can Sri Lanka's new president bring unity? We want to evict our tenant and make the house a holiday let: Will this soon be banned under Section 21 rules? Find the best deals on More Pets Supplies from your favorite brands. Local Labour candidate Charlotte Holloway accused him of neglecting his constituency duties to earn a "staggering" amount of money. [51] After local media reported he had started using hotels instead, he said it was due to the weather conditions and that his expenses claims were still lower than the maximum that could be allowed. Shop the best selection of deals on Beauty now. Shop our favorite Bath & Body finds at great prices. The MP, a former Army officer who toured Afghanistan, said: I totally reject the assertion that I have done anything wrong in working as a Non-Executive Director of Crucial Academy. The Plymouth Moor View MP rejected calls for him to quit as an MP, claiming he has done nothing wrong in working for the company that helps military veterans to find jobs in cyber security. He has served as Member of Parliament for Plymouth Moor View since 2015. He later said that the result to leave should be respected. Mr Mercer - who is facing calls from investors to quit as an MP - said he had done nothing wrong. Company filings showed he stepped down as a director of training firm Crucial Academy yesterday two months after telling the Cabinet Office he would leave. [30][31], In November 2015, he was criticised by the TaxPayers' Alliance after it was revealed he had purchased five Apple iMac computers on his Commons expenses, rather than 'cheaper equivalents'. Save up to 50% on Women's Accessories when you shop now. Mercer has rejected claims that his 85,000 salary was ultimately funded by Surge even though Crucials accounts showed that it received a 325,095 loan from Surge. Will the rest of 2022 be better for investors and can the UK market continue to outperform? It was previously revealed how Mr Mercer's salary had connections to London Capital Finance, which marketed a failed bond scheme that lost savers 236million. Find the best deals on Women's Handbags & Wallets from your favorite brands. VideoKyiv residents hope to rebuild damaged flats. [26], In the House of Commons he sat on the Defence Committee, the Defence Sub-Committee (201519) and the Health and Social Care Committee (201719). [49], Mercer is married to Felicity and they have three children. asks VICTORIA BISCHOFF, House prices up 32k in a year after seven months of consecutive increases despite interest rate rises, ONS says, BUSINESS LIVE: Consumer price inflation hits 9.4%; Royal Mail revenues crash another 11.5%; Premier Foods sales jump, Royal Mail losing 1MILLION a day as pandemic postal boom subsides and over 115,000 workers vote to go on strike in a dispute over pay, Premier Foods' sales jump as shoppers snap up Mr Kipling owner's 'value meal' brands like Batchelors and Nissin, Morses Club shares dive 40% as doorstep lender's future hangs in the balance with latest plan to address rising claims, Green jet fuel targets will push up cost of airfares:Rolls-Royce chief Warren East in stark warning to travellers, Amazon paid nearly 3bn of tax in the UK last year: Internet giant publishes accounts in big tofend off criticism, Has your home increased in value by 50k during the pandemic? in May 2016 for claiming 2,500 on expenses for "professional services" on social media management, and in December 2017 the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority opened an investigation to determine whether Mercer had been paid business expenses he should not have been. [14][15], He was elected to the House of Commons as the Member of Parliament for Plymouth Moor View at the 2015 general election, defeating the incumbent Labour MP, Alison Seabeck. What will Boris's downfall, a new Prime Minister and Chancellor mean for the economy and our finances?
2022 BBC. The basic annual salaryfor an MP is 79,468, and they also receive expenses to cover the costs of running an office.
[47] Mercer told Times Radio that he thought the Second Johnson ministry was "the most distrustful, awful environment I've ever worked in". Currently, there are a number of lawyers, some doctors and nurses, and even a football referee in the Commons. Shop the best selection of deals on Laptops now. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Johnny Mercer has not been accused of any wrong-doing. The Serious Fraud Office, working in conjunction with the Financial Conduct Authority, is investigating individuals associated with LCF andfour people have been arrested. And why I backed him from the start. [10], Two years after becoming an MP, in June 2017, Mercer published We Were Warriors: One Soldier's Story of Brutal Combat, a memoir of his upbringing and army service, especially his time in Afghanistan.[11]. Mr Mercer said: "I totally reject the assertion that I have done anything wrong in working as a non-executive director of Crucial Academy. Save up to 50% on Maternity Clothing when you shop now. [4][5][2], Mercer was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Royal Artillery after graduating from the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, in June 2003 and was promoted to lieutenant in April 2005. Find the best deals on Gear from your favorite brands. But there are some rules they have to follow. 2021 Associated Newspapers Limited. Mercer responded that the purchases were appropriate and 'were cheaper than the desktop computers offered to MPs by the House of Commons' official supplier'. But Mercer has come under criticism for his links with Careless, who ran a marketing firm called Surge Group that promoted toxic bonds on behalf of LCF and made an estimated 58million in fees. [52][53], On a summer boat trip in 2016, he rescued fellow Conservative MP Scott Mann who jumped into the water having been "ashamed to admit" he could not swim. By Chris Quevatre & Tom PalmerBBC News Online. [9] After contacting ex-military Conservative MP Bob Stewart, he was selected as the Conservative Party candidate for Plymouth Moor View two months after leaving the army in February 2014. The Plymouth Moor View parliamentarian is walking away from Crucial Academy after securing a role as Whitehall's new veterans minister as part of Boris Johnson's new-look Government. Ministers are also meant to wait for three months after they leave the post before taking another job outside of the government. I have huge sympathy for those who have been a victims of a clearly fraudulent company I have never met, heard of, or had anything to do with.
The comments below have not been moderated. These are the best Videogames deals youll find online. [59], Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (201922), Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence People and Veterans, Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, 2019 Conservative Party leadership election, "Tory MP Johnny Mercer: My battles with mental illness - and how Army veterans are being exploited and failed", "Afghanistan veteran Johnny Mercer's Westminster mission", "We Were Warriors: One Soldier's Story of Brutal Combat - review", "Johnny Mercer: We need to 'grow up' over Iraq, my 'gippingly' embarrassing Dove advert and why Tony Blair is my political hero", "Plymouth MP appears half-naked in Dove shower gel advert", "Plymouth MP is half-naked shower advert model confirms Dove", "Cynical about politicians? Find the best deals on Women's Jewelry from your favorite brands. Now thanks to a new website you CAN find out, Yorkshire BS launches new top regular savings rate that even beats the best easy-access, Nationwide building society slashes branch opening hours due to 'extreme weather' conditions, Property asking prices surge 9.3% to yet another fresh record - as Rightmove revises up 2022 forecasts amid shortage of homes, How to save money on energy: What you need to know and energy-saving tips that work. Surge Group then reportedly loaned 325,095 to the Crucial Group, which owns Crucial Academy.
[16] He has been critical of the Iraq Historic Allegations Team. MPs are allowed to have other jobs in addition to their roles in Parliament and their constituencies. The former Army officer joined the firm, which trains military veterans in cyber-security, last September according to his register of interests filed with Parliament. [4] The family live in a small village on the edge of Bodmin Moor, in Cornwall. Johnny Mercer receives 85,000 from Crucial Academy, a company ultimately funded by Surge Financial Limited. [9], Mercer has said he was largely responsible for organising his own campaign "on the cheap". [25], In an interview with The House magazine in October 2018, Mercer suggested that his values no longer aligned with the current Conservative party leadership and said there would be "absolutely no chance" that he would start as a candidate of the party at this time. Deals and discounts in Tablets you dont want to miss. Who has qualified for the Euros knockout stages? "The best thing for him to do would be resign - or give that money back.". Find the best deals on Fitness Nutrition from your favorite brands. Find the best deals on Kitchen from your favorite brands. [48], He returned to government after the 2022 British cabinet reshuffle. We do not write articles to promote products. Veterans minister Johnny Mercer is finally quitting a second job linked to a savings scandal. Shadow Cabinet ministers Tom Watson and Nia Griffith wrote a letter to the Cabinet Secretary Mark Sedwill asking him to investigate whether Mercer had broken the code through his directorship at the company. A third of homeowners are seeing asking values rise 48 a day, Breakfast inflation soars: Cost of staples up 71% in the past two years as they become pricier to source and supply, Half of small businesses mull price rises in bid to survive rising bills and the cost of living crisis, Investing to tackle some of the UK's most deep-rooted social challenges: How the Schroder BSC Social Impact Trust drives transformation in communities, What's the odds of your scratch card hitting the jackpot? "When this historic link was discovered, the leadership of Crucial Academy immediately implemented a management buy-out and the loan was repaid, in order to ensure the continuing integrity of Crucial Academy," Mr Mercer explained. If, over the course of the year, they earn more than 300 from one source, they then have to declare every payment from that employer, however big or small. In a statement to the BBC, representatives of Surge Group said that all financial links with the Crucial Group had now been severed. Save up to 50% on Women's Clothing when you shop now. He added that he had never met, heard of, or had any interest in LCF previously, yet alone the financial products they offered. ", "Johnny Mercer: Why I have changed my mind over Brexit", "Plymouth Moor View result: Conservative Johnny Mercer re-elected", "Plymouth MP 'missed key NHS debate to appear on reality TV show', "Tory MP explains why he missed parliament talk to go on reality TV show", "Labour candidate blasts Plymouth Tory MP's 85,000 a year second job", "MP Johnny Mercer's salary funded by failed bond scheme marketing agent", "Company linked to MP 'taking legal action' over BBC report", "Johnny Mercer has said he would not vote Conservative if he was not already an MP for the party", "Tory MP Mercer strikes over Troubles soldiers' prosecutions", "No action against Plymouth MP after 'admitting expenses error", "Tory election spending: MP admitted to police some claims were wrong", "MP Johnny Mercer's campaign expenditure investigated", "Tory MP Johnny Mercer accused over 3,500 expenses claim for five iMacs", "Johnny Mercer expenses investigation: Watchdog launches probe into Plymouth MP", "One in five MPs employs a family member: the full list revealed", "Brilliant. 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[35] He said that he believed "Boris is the man of the moment" and was capable of securing a better Brexit deal for the United Kingdom. [23] In April 2019 the BBC reported that his salary at Crucial Academy was funded by the marketing agent for the failed London Capital and Finance bond scheme,[24] although Crucial Group later denied this. The BBC has reported that Crucial Academy is funded by Surge Financial Limited, which took 25% commission for promoting bonds by failed London Capital and Finance. [38], Mercer held his seat in the 2019 general election, increasing his majority to nearly 13,000 votes. "I received those assurances. 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Crucial Group, the parent company of the academy which employed Mercer, is majority-owned by Careless and Surge. I have no intention of resigning or cutting them adrift in this storm, he said on Wednesday. [1], John Mercer was born in Dartford on 17 August 1981.
Find the best deals on Fragrance from your favorite brands. Mr Wright, a long-time Conservative supporter, said he had lost all faith in Parliament and called for Mr Mercer to stand down. Save up to 50% on Pets when you shop now. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. That helps us fund This Is Money, and keep it free to use. Surge Group then loaned 325,095 to the Crucial Group, which owns Crucial Academy. The Parliamentary register of interests says that Mr Mercer works four hours per week for Crucial Academy, a rate of more than 350 per hour. Ofgem orders review of huge direct debit hikes.. here's how to find out, Tradesmen minefield: Why is it so hard to find a trustworthy plumber, builder or decorator? He did three tours in Afghanistan:[8][9] as a liaison and training officer with Afghan forces; attached to a Special Forces unit; and as a co-ordinator of artillery and air strikes in support of ground operations. Save up to 50% on Trending when you shop now. [9] To raise funds, he worked on building sites and appeared in a Dove shower gel advertisement. [2][3] Between 1995 and 2000, he was educated at Eastbourne College, a co-educational independent school in Eastbourne in East Sussex. Surge Financial Limited took 25% commission for marketing bonds by London Capital and Finance (LCF), which is now in administration. Surge Group Limited and Surge Financial Limited are both owned by Paul Careless, Surge Financial takes commission for acting for companies such as London Capital and Finance, which collapsed in February, It takes commissions of up to 25% of the capital invested, Surge Group is funded entirely by Surge Financial, and invests in various associated businesses including the Crucial Group, whose subsidiary company Crucial Academy employs Johnny Mercer MP, Surge Group's independent auditors said Surge Group was reliant on funds from Surge Financial, London Capital & Finance (LCF) is now in administration after collapsing while owing 236m to bondholders, It advertised bonds as ISAs, offering returns of 8% despite giving 25% of the money straight to Surge Financial Limited as a commission, Nearly 12,000 lost their money, with many investing for the first time with inheritances or pensions, Four people were arrested by the Serious Fraud Office in relation to LCF, Less than 20% of the lost money is expected to be recovered. Mercer, 38, the MP for Plymouth Moor View, was a non-executive director at Crucial where he earned more than 350 per hour for his 20 hours of work each month. Save up to 50% on Smart Home when you shop now. [54][55][56] In 2018 he won Channel 4's Celebrity Hunted Stand Up to Cancer, sharing the title with AJ Pritchard. She said she was never told Surge Financial Ltd was taking 25% commission and was angry some of that money had been funding Mr Mercer's salary. Mercer said the accusation "smacked of political jealousy". [41] In a tweet, Mercer said he was "relieved of [his] responsibilities in Government" because of his disagreements with the scope of the proposed Overseas Operations Bill. A Tory MP has denied wrongdoing over claims that his private salary is funded by a firm that marketed a failed bond scheme which lost savers 236m. John Wright invested 36,000 of his wife's money into LCF after being enticed by the 8% interest rates - far higher than the 0.25% offered by their bank. All MPs have to declare any individual work payments to the Register of Members' Financial Interests if they are more than 100. His campaign to get elected as an MP in 2015 was subsequently the subject of a police investigation following allegations that it breached rules on campaign spending. put their savings, retirement cash and inheritance into LCF. Can't wait to get back to this", "Johnny Mercer reveals why he backs Boris and wants Brexit", "Johnny Mercer gets defence minister job as Boris Johnson pledges dedicated veterans' office", "UK minister 'may have breached' rules over second job", "Plymouth Moor View parliamentary constituency - Election 2019", "Tory Johnny Mercer wins Plymouth Moor View with huge majority", "Johnny Mercer: Sacked minister attacks 'distrustful' government", "Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament", "I'm sorry to have been relieved of my responsibilities in Government tonight", "UK Seeks to Stop Justice for War Crimes", "Johnny Mercer: Tory MP resigns as defence minister", "Defence minister Johnny Mercer resigns from government", "Peers vote to halt plans to limit UK soldiers' accountability for war crimes", "Plymouth MP dismissed as minister is now back in the cabinet", "Johnny Mercer on life in the army, his childhood demons and the broken Tory "brand", "Tory MP sleeps on boat in east London to avoid 'obscene' house prices in capital", "MP ditches plan to save expenses by staying on his yacht then racks up 12,500 in hotel bills", "Tory MP decides to live on boat to beat London's high house prices", "Tory MP Johnny Mercer rescued colleague who was afraid to admit he couldn't swim from drowning", "Non-swimmer North Cornwall MP Scott Mann rescued after trying to swim to shore on Rame Peninsula", "Plymouth MP Johnny Mercer wins Celebrity Hunted", "Interview with Kay Burley and Johnny Mercer MP for Celebrity Hunted | Channel 4", Ex-Army heads criticise investigation into Iraq abuse allegations, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Johnny_Mercer_(politician)&oldid=1098222606, British Army personnel of the War in Afghanistan (20012021), Conservative Party (UK) MPs for English constituencies, Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for constituencies in Devon, Graduates of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Pages containing London Gazette template with parameter supp set to y, Articles with dead external links from February 2020, Articles with permanently dead external links, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox military person with embed, Articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases from February 2021, Wikipedia articles in need of updating from April 2021, All Wikipedia articles in need of updating, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 14 July 2022, at 20:35.