Kemi Badenoch has denied that the Conservative Party is going bust, and played down suggestions the Tories might be forced out of its London headquarters because donations are drying up.
The Conservative leader also made clear that her party will go into the next election with a commitment to maintain the pensions triple lock for pensioners in a wide ranging interview with GB News.
There were reports this week that the party's finances have not recovered since the General Election and the Tories might be forced to end the lease on Conservative Campaign Headquarters in Westminster.
Asked by the People's Channel if the party was "going bust", Badenoch replied: "I don't know where that came from - absolutely not."
Kemi Badenoch
GB NEWS
Badenoch played down the claims, saying: "I don't know where the story about the lease of the London operation came from.
"Sometimes there are just these strange rumours. Yes, we are raising money.
"We're doing well. Obviously, we would always like more.
"We've had an increase in membership - we'd always like more, so please join.
Christopher Hope quizzed the Tory leader on Conservative Party finances and the triple lock
GB NEWS
"But right now the job we've got is to rebuild trust with the British public.
"People need to see that we are a credible alternative to Labour, and I need to show that.
"That's what I'm doing with the policy on indefinite leave to remain and citizenship.
"And I hope that people can see that we're doing our job as the opposition."
Badenoch's commitment to preserving the triple lock, which ensures the state pension continues to increase year-to-year, was questioned recently after she appeared to suggest it might have to be means tested under a Tory Government.
Asked about the comments, she said that the "triple lock is Conservative policy, and still Conservative policy".
Kemi Badenoch sat down with Christopher Hope in Peterborough
GB NEWS
Quizzed directly if it the pension perk is safe under a Tory Government, Badenoch replied: "Yes. Yes."
She added: "What we what we need to look at is what's happening now with Winter Fuel [Payments].
"Labour has taken that away from people and it's freezing. That's absolutely terrible.
"They're going after people they think don't vote for them. Pensioners, farmers, small business owners - employee NICs. We've got to show that we're on the side of all these people."
Badenoch also revealed she was enjoying her job as Tory leader. "I am - I like a challenge. I love politics, but it's also an opportunity for me to help a lot of people who I didn't have the opportunity to help." the North West Essex MP said.
"I'm not doing this for me. They're much easier things that I could be doing. It is a tough job, but I like a challenge and I like fixing things."
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