Tory chairman faces probe into 'false' website claims
Friday 05 October 2012
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EmailTory Party chairman Grant Shapps was in hot water today after the Advertising Standards Agency announced plans to investigate allegations regarding a "get rich quick" website he ran under a false identity.
The HowToCorp website, which used to be run by Mr Shapps, featured advice from supposedly successful businessmen Sebastian Fox and Michael Green.
Green - an alias used by Mr Shapps - is presented as having built up a fortune worth $28 million (£17m). The website, which is no longer active, invited users to pay a fee to benefit from his advice.
A spokesman for the ASA confirmed it was investigating a complaint.
"The complainant has challenged whether the website is misleading, because it implies Sebastian Fox and Michael Green are successful businessmen whereas they believe neither are real people, and whether the testimonials are genuine," he said.
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