£55,000 Scandal Rocks Westminster: MP Danny Kruger Under Investigation for APPG Donations Linked to Anti-Assisted Dying Campaign

In a dramatic twist amid the heated debate over the legalization of assisted dying, Conservative MP Danny Kruger is under investigation for allegedly failing to properly register £55,000 in donations tied to the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Dying Well, which he co-chaired until earlier this year.

The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards has launched an inquiry into whether Kruger, the MP for East Wiltshire, breached rules regarding the timely declaration of financial interests and the accurate publication of income and expenditure statements for the APPG.

The Funding Controversy

At the heart of the investigation are allegations that significant donations—primarily from evangelical Christian groups opposing assisted dying—were not registered in accordance with parliamentary rules. Among these donations, a £37,500 contribution reportedly came from three prominent anti-assisted dying campaign groups with links to the “evangelical Christian right.”

Of particular note is a £22,500 donation from Care Not Killing, the group’s main funder, which was reportedly declared 564 days late. APPG rules require donations exceeding £1,500 to be declared within 28 days—a regulation that appears to have been flouted multiple times.

The funds were used to support the APPG’s work in promoting palliative care and lobbying against the Terminally Ill Adults Bill, a contentious piece of legislation that seeks to legalize assisted dying for terminally ill adults in England and Wales. The bill is set to go to a critical vote in Parliament this Friday.

A Timely Investigation

The timing of the investigation couldn’t be more explosive. The debate over assisted dying has divided Parliament and the public, with proponents advocating for greater autonomy for terminally ill individuals and opponents raising ethical and societal concerns.

Kruger has been a vocal critic of the bill, arguing that it risks endangering vulnerable people, eroding trust in the doctor-patient relationship, and undermining the state’s duty to care for its citizens. His close association with the APPG on Dying Well and its controversial funding sources has now drawn scrutiny to both his personal conduct and the broader campaign against assisted dying.

Political and Ethical Implications

This investigation raises significant questions about transparency and accountability within APPGs—informal cross-party groups that operate with fewer restrictions than official parliamentary committees. Critics argue that APPGs can serve as conduits for external influence, particularly when funded by interest groups with specific agendas.

For Kruger, the stakes are high. A breach of parliamentary standards could damage his credibility and cast a shadow over the anti-assisted dying movement, which is already under intense public and political scrutiny.

Silence Amid the Storm

Kruger has so far declined to comment on the allegations, with a spokesperson stating that he will await the conclusion of the investigation before making any public statements. This silence has only fueled speculation about the potential fallout for his political career and the APPG’s future.

A Defining Moment for Parliament

As MPs prepare to vote on the Terminally Ill Adults Bill, the revelations about the APPG on Dying Well’s funding and oversight have added a layer of intrigue to an already fraught debate.

Will this scandal influence the outcome of the vote? Or will it underscore the need for greater oversight of APPGs and their financial backers?

One thing is certain: the intersection of faith, politics, and ethics has never been more contested, and the coming days could have profound implications for the future of assisted dying in the UK—and for Danny Kruger’s political legacy.