Tory Health Spokesman Receives Cash from Private Health Interests

The Telegraph reports here that Andrew Lansley, Shadow Minister For Health, has received a donation from an individual with extensive interests in private provision to the National Health Service.

It is reported that

John Nash, the chairman of Care UK, gave £21,000 to fund Andrew Lansley’s personal office in November.

Mr Nash, a private equity tycoon, also manages several other businesses providing services to the NHS and stands to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of Conservative policies to increase the use of private health providers.

Given that the Tories are very open about their intention, if elelcted, to extend the use of private provision in the NHS, this would seem, on the face of it, to be a case of conflict of interests.

How can Mr Lansley take cash from a company that as a minister he would be dealing with in his efforts to privatise NHS provision, and still remain impartial?

Would the NHS be safe in Andrew Lansley's hands?