A Tory candidate in the Black Country – at the centre of a row over prospective MPs who work as lobbyists – today defended her decision to accept a fee for using her political connections.

Margot James, who is standing in Stourbridge, accepted a £1,000-plus fee to give a company access to a member of the Shadow Cabinet. However Miss James, a Conservative Party vice-chairman who works as a freelance public relations consultant, said she made it clear from the outset the payment was for charity.

Miss James, who is self-employed and is paid entirely in fees negotiated with clients, today said an ex-client had asked her to set up a meeting for a number of companies with a member of the shadow cabinet.

“A few months later I was working with a charity in Stourbridge that provides support for adults with learning disabilities.

“As an afterthought it occurred to me that in the normal course of business I could have made a charge and that there was an opportunity here to raise some money for the charity. I made it quite clear to the client that the money would be going to charity and I would never have asked for a fee had it not been going to charity.”