Martin Bell the former BBC war reporter and independent MP for Tatton has teamed up with the former Beiruit hostage to co-ordinate up to 25 anti – sleaze local candidates to stand against MPs who have been involved in the MPs expenses scandal.  It has not been confirmed yet which constituency Mr Bell or Mr Waite will stand in

Mr Bell ran a successful campaign in 1997 as an independent against Neil Hamilton, the Tory MP at the centre of the “cash for questions” scandal. He stood down at the next election and retired from politics after failing to unseat Eric Pickles, the Tory MP for Brentwood and Ongar in 2001.

At the moment Mr Bell is advising community groups in Salford where Hazel Blears is the local MP.  She resigned from the Cabinet after it was discovered that she had avoided paying more than £13,000 in capital gains tax.  But she has since paid this money back to HMRC.  There is a organised group in Salford called Stop Hazel Blears which has its own website and according to the content has held several meetings.  It is rumoured that Terry Waite will be speaking at one of their meetings in September.

If Mr Waite stands it could be against his local MP in Bury St Edmunds, David Ruffley, who claimed a £2,000 television set on expenses.  Alan Duncan, the Tory MP for Rutland and Melton and Shadow Leader of the House, who repaid more than £4,000 claimed for gardening, is also likely to be high on their list.  But it has been suggested by the media today that Mr Bell is mainly looking for good strong local candidates not necessarily a celebrity candidate as in the case of Esther Rantzen who is contesting Margaret Moran’s seat in Luton.

Published on August 17th, 2009 by chris