Fox fights to save career in friend row

DEFENCE Secretary Liam Fox’s political career was hanging in the balance today as questions mounted over his close friend Adam Werritty’s financial affairs.

The focus of the controversy was centring on who funded Mr Werritty’s frequent globetrotting alongside Dr Fox.

According to one report, Mr Werritty’s three known consultancies have earned him little more than £20,000 in four years.

Dr Fox apologised yesterday for “blurring” the lines between ministerial work and his personal life after a report found he met a close friend a total of 40 times at the Ministry of Defence and on overseas trips.

David Cameron said the interim report by MoD permanent secretary Ursula Brennan made clear that Dr Fox had made “serious mistakes” in his links with Mr Werritty and that procedures within his department needed tightening up.