David Cameron has been accused of plagiarising Ana Botin, chief executive of the Santander bank, after they both said profit and wealth creation were "not dirty words" within the same fortnight.
The prime minister used his keynote address at the Tory Party's annual conference business to say: "Profit, wealth creation, tax cuts, enterprise — these are not dirty, elitist words. They are not the problem. They really are the solution."
However, Cameron's comments have drawn accusations of plagiarism as they closely echo those of Santander CEO Ana Botin, who said less than two weeks ago at the Institute for Directors' annual convention: "Profit, wealth creation, competition: these are not dirty words, but the lifeblood of a dynamic economy."
Green Party leader Natalie Bennett accused David Cameron of copying the Santander chief, telling HuffPost UK: "The close match between Mr Cameron's speech and that of Ana Botin is telling.
"We now have further evidence of how the Tory Party,which depends on the City for half of its funding, acts as the financial industry's mouthpiece."
"I would suggest if Mr Cameron is seeking someone to plagiarise, this is a particularly bad choice."
An IoD spokesman told the Huffington Post UK: "We always intend for our Annual Convention to set the agenda for the year ahead, and Ana Botin's contribution to the debate has clearly helped to do exactly that."
HuffPostUK contacted Conservative Campaign Headquarters but they declined to comment.
David Cameron Bio
Prime Minister David Cameron(01 of21)
Open Image ModalAge: 46Party: ConservativesMarried to: Samantha SheffieldChildren:- Nancy Gwen- Arthur Elwen- Florence Rose Endellion- Ivan Reginald Ian (deceased) (credit:Alamy)
Fact One(02 of21)
Open Image ModalCameron is a descendant of King William IV who reigned from 26 June 1830 – 20 June 1837 (credit:Alamy)
Fact Two(03 of21)
Open Image ModalCameron attended the Heatherdown Preparatory School where he entered its top academic class two years early before graduating to attend Eton College (pictured) (credit:PA)
Fact Three(04 of21)
Open Image ModalCameron was due to attend a job interview at the Conservative Central Office (CCO) in 1993.Before the interview the CCO received a call from Buckingham Palace.The caller said: "I understand you are to see David Cameron. I've tried everything I can to dissuade him from wasting his time on politics but I have failed. I am ringing to tell you that you are about to meet a truly remarkable young man." (credit:Alamy)
Fact Four(05 of21)
Open Image ModalAt 43, Cameron was the youngest person to be appointed prime minister since 1812 when Robert Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool took office aged 42. (credit:Alamy)
Fact Five(06 of21)
Open Image ModalCameron's son, Ivan (left) died in 2009.Ivan suffered from cerebral palsy and severe seizures.Cameron said of the event: "The news hits you like a freight train...You are depressed for a while because you are grieving for the difference between your hopes and the reality. "But then you get over that, because he's wonderful." (credit:PA)
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