UKIP millionaire backs Tory candidate in Walsall
[gallery] One of UKIP's biggest donors has given their backing to a Conservative candidate in Walsall and funded around half of his campaign budget, it has been revealed.
Millionaire hedge fund boss Christopher Mills gave £50,000 to Nigel Farage's party in 2014.
But on the eve of the election, it has emerged he has handed a corporate donation - of an unknown amount - through Harwood Capital Group to Douglas Hansen-Luke, the Conservative candidate contesting Walsall North.
Mr Hansen-Luke has said, if elected, he will resign as an MP if the government fails to deliver an in-out European Union referendum.
UKIP has performed well in parts of Walsall in local elections. But Mr Hansen-Luke hopes those considering voting for UKIP in Walsall North will be persuaded to vote for him tomorrow.
He said: "I'm sure that Mr Mills would prefer UKIP to win every seat but in the case of Walsall North he understands that it is me that has the best chance of beating an anti-referendum, pro-Europe Labour candidate.
"I've made it clear that I would resign my seat if the Conservatives failed to deliver a referendum were we to be in the majority.
"The number one of concern of Walsall North's constituents has been uncontrolled immigration and re-negotiating our relationship with Europe would allow us to address this issue fairly and squarely, once and for all.
"This will be closest election in a generation. Those of us who love England and a united Briton must do everything we can to prevent a Labour-dog being controlled by a Scottish tail."
In 2013 the Sunday Times Rich List estimated Mr Mills was worth £200 million.
Mr Hansen-Luke is trying to win Walsall North from Labour's David Winnick who has been the sitting MP for more than 30 years.
