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Deselected ‘maverick’ may stand as an independent
Nicholas Cecil, Deputy Political Editor3 Jun 2009
Deselected Labour MP Ian Gibson could win support to stand as an independent, his local party chairman said today.
Martin Booth stressed there was fury in Mr Gibson's Norwich North constituency over the decision by party chiefs to ban him from standing at the next general election.
His candidacy was rescinded following revelations that he claimed almost £80,000 in second home expenses on a London flat which he later sold at a knock-down price to his daughter.
Mr Gibson has insisted the claims were legitimate, as he was staying at the address three nights a week.
Mr Booth condemned Labour's “star chamber”, which is hearing cases of MPs judged to have questionable expenses, as a “kangaroo court”.
He had suggested that Mr Gibson had been singled out because he was a “maverick” who had voted against the Government on several occasions.
He also implied Mr Gibson may win support to stand as an independent Labour MP at the election expected next May.
“We certainly feel strongly enough that he might well get a lot of support from members,” he said.
Reader views (1)
Why on earth does he think he would be re-elected? Does he think his Norwich North electors are particularly stupid, ill-informed, or gullible?
There are of course a lot more similar cases to go, and if any of them are still official party candidates at the next election, I hope that their electorates will do what their parties might fail to do.
- Nigel, London, 03/06/2009 17:18
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