Suggs: Working-class Madness singer left confused after indirectly raising money at Tory party's £3 million ball

A picture of the singer was auctioned off at David Cameron's fundraiser

(Getty Images)

Suggs is "furious" that a picture of him raised thousands of pounds for David Cameron's party.

The singer, who has spoken in the past of his dislike of Margaret Thatcher and described himself as a socialist, is said to be dismayed that a photograph of himself was used to bolster the Conservative party's coffers. The event raised £3 million for the party, and tickets cost £1,500 a head.

Suggs, real name Graham Macpherson, is hunting down the photographer Stephen Perry, who donated the portrait to the event.

"Getting to the bottom of how my picture ended up in [the] Tories auction," Suggs said. "Don't know the photographer but will find out."

Other items sold at the silent auction are said to have included a 20cm statue of Margaret Thatcher for £210,000 and an Italian holiday for two for £220,000.

The Mirror reports that Suggs is "furious" at his indirect involvement and quotes a source as saying: "Suggs is absolutely furious with the Tories, he wasn’t pleased at all."

Suggs, who has fronted ska band Madness since 1976, has long been a voice for the left. "We were socialists, and still are, to a greater or lesser extent," Suggs told The Scotsman. "Our first gig at the Hope and Anchor was the night Margaret Thatcher got voted in, God help us. All that: 'There’s no such thing as society' and what they did to the unions…

"We were a little society of our own and tried to create a feeling of belonging. Our House becomes authentic, even though it’s an abstract. It’s the idea of family."

Suggs' agent declined to comment when contacted by The Independent.