As I have previously discussed, Joan Edwards died at age 90 andleft a bequest in her will for “whichever government is in office at thedate of my death.” Recently, the list of political donationspublished by the Electoral Commission revealed that Edwards haddonated £420,576 to the Conservatives and £99,423 to the LibDems. When the confusion began, the parties had agreed to give theTreasury the money as a good faith gesture. The Attorney Generals Officestated, “The executors of Miss Edwards’ estate contacted the AGOabout her bequest but the Attorney provided no advice on this matter.” In response, the Treasury has set out steps the executors can follow tosee who should receive the bequest. The executors of the estate have notyet commented on the matter.
Lucy Burton Bristol’s Davis Wood Revealed as Executors of Pensioner’s Government Bequest, The Lawyer, Aug. 14, 2013.
