Dragons’ Den star: Why I didn’t sign business letter backing the Tories

Last month over 100 British business leaders signed a letter backing the Conservatives’ economic policies. The letter, which was published in the Daily Telegraph, was seen as damaging to Labour as it claimed that the Tories’ business plan was working and any change in that plan could put the UK’s economic recovery at risk.

Miliband can take heart, however, that not every retail tycoon is against his party’s business proposals. Speaking at the relaunch of Ghost, the recently appointed Dragons’ Den investor Touker Suleyman tells Mr S that he was originally approached to sign the letter:

‘I didn’t sign the letter. I was approached but I am apolitical. I am a people’s person and especially with my position on Dragons’ Den I think it is best to stay apolitical.’

But before Labour members get too excited about the existence of a business leader not actively opposed to Miliband and his policies, they ought to read last weekend’s Mail on Sunday. The paper quotes Suleyman, who is credited with saving Hawes & Curtis after buying it for £1, as warning that ‘we’ll all be living in a communist state’ if the Labour leader has his way.