Maverick Tory not to be disciplined

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Mr Hannan caused fresh embarrassment for Tory leader David Cameron by making the admission on a US internet television channel.

He had recently provoked controversy by describing the NHS as a "60 year mistake" that he "wouldn't wish on anyone".

But Tory sources said Mr Hannan would not face disciplinary action because his praise for Mr Powell had not referred to the late politician's stance on immigration. Mr Hannan was described as "pro-immigration".

In an interview with reason.tv, Mr Hannan was asked to name his political influences.

He replied: "In the British context, Enoch Powell ... as somebody who understood the importance of national democracy, who understood why you need to live in an independent country and what that meant, as well as being a free marketeer and a small-government Conservative."

Labour seized on Mr Hannan's comments and urged Mr Cameron to take action.

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said: "Yet again we are seeing the two faces of the Conservative party: the one they want to present to the public and the one which attacks the NHS and praises Enoch Powell."

Parmjit Dhanda, Labour MP for Gloucester, said: "Last week Daniel Hannan attacked the NHS. Now he's talking up Enoch Powell as a key influence for Cameron's Conservatives. When another Tory candidate praised Enoch Powell in 2007, David Cameron criticised him and he was forced to resign."

Earlier this month Mr Cameron dismissed Mr Hannan's views on the NHS as "eccentric". The Tory leader forced the resignation of Conservative Party candidate Nigel Hastilow in 2007 after he wrote in a newspaper that Mr Powell was "right" on immigration.