EXCLUSIVE: Billionaire Tory donor has Ed Stone

 

David Ross, the founder of Carphone Warehouse, 'had erected the stone' in the grounds of his 3,800-acre country estate

Well, sort of

The fate of Ed Milliband’s tablet of doom had been shrouded in mystery amid claims it had been sold or smashed into tiny pieces.

But yesterday rumours swept Westminster that billionaire Tory donor David Ross had somehow got his hands on the monolith after buying it from the original stonemason.

Ross, the founder of Carphone Warehouse, had erected the stone in the grounds of his 3,800-acre country estate, said sources.

The ‘Ed Stone’ inscribed with his six election pledges, outside the home of David Ross, at Nevill Holt Hall

Breathless with excitement, a SunNation team raced to Nevill Holt Hall in Leicestershire to get the first picture of it since hapless Miliband unveiled it before the General Election.

Incredibly, the stone was on display for all to see in the grounds in full view of the road.
Replica

But when we contacted Ross he revealed…it was a replica.

“It’s part of his private art collection” says a spokesman for the 49 year old entrepreneur who is a close personal friend of the Prime Minister.

A Tory insider said “It’s a long way from the Downing Street garden but a fitting tribute to mark Ed’s leadership as he contemplates his future in the political wilderness.”

In majestic surroundings at Nevill Holt Hall, Leicestershire

Tragic mystery continues

Tragically, the fate of the original Miliband tablet – carved with election promises – remains a mystery.
Labour were widely mocked for May’s pre-election vow that was meant to restore trust in the party, having literally chiselled their pledges in stone.

PA

Since then, acting leader Harriet Harman she had ‘no idea’ what happened to the ill-fated comedy column.
Avid Tory Ross has donated over £250,000 to the Conservative party since David Cameron became leader in 2005, and he has set up 25 academy schools.

SunNation