A trifecta of by-elections are looming for the Tories, with campaigns expected to shortly be underway in Kingswood and Blackpool South. But before that there’s the Wellingborough contest, held to replace Peter Bone. The outgoing MP continues to protest his innocence but his pleas have thus far been to no avail. His constituents in Northamptonshire voted him out of his seat in a recall petition last month, following his six-week suspension from the Commons.
That came after an inquiry found he had subjected a staff member to bullying and sexual misconduct. Parliament’s Independent Expert Panel ruled that Bone had engaged in ‘a wilful pattern of bullying’ which included ‘an unwanted incident of sexual misconduct, when the complainant was trapped in a room with the respondent in a hotel in Madrid’. So, in an election that is likely dominated by allegations of sleaze, who have the Tories selected to replace him?
Step forward Helen Harrison, a local councillor and, er, long-time partner of one Peter Bone.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in