The crisis engulfing Morgan McSweeney deepened after the email shed new light on a episode in which his think-tank was fined for breaches of electoral law involving donations.

The Tories say they have obtained private legal advice to Morgan McSweeney (pictured), which points to a deliberate attempt to mislead the Electoral Commission.

Leaked emails have revealed that Shabana Mahmood was involved in discussions over why the political funding watchdog was not told about the huge cash donations to McSweeney's…