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Disgraced former Lib Dem MP Mike Hancock vows to run again Disgraced former Lib Dem MP Mike Hancock vows to run again
(about 11 hours later)
Mike Hancock, the MP ejected from the Liberal Democrats for admitting to sexually harassing a constituent, has declared his intention to stand again.Mike Hancock, the MP ejected from the Liberal Democrats for admitting to sexually harassing a constituent, has declared his intention to stand again.
The MP for Portsmouth South said on Sunday that he would stand as an independent candidate in an attempt to defend his seat in the face of strong local opposition. Lib Dem officials had hoped that he would retire and allow the party’s new candidate to defend his 5,200 majority. He was suspended by the party and in effect deselected by his local party but remained an MP.The MP for Portsmouth South said on Sunday that he would stand as an independent candidate in an attempt to defend his seat in the face of strong local opposition. Lib Dem officials had hoped that he would retire and allow the party’s new candidate to defend his 5,200 majority. He was suspended by the party and in effect deselected by his local party but remained an MP.
The seat could go to the Tories if Hancock splits the Liberal Democrat vote by standing against his former colleague Gerald Vernon-Jackson. The seat could go to the Tories if Hancock splits the Lib Dem vote by standing against his former colleague Gerald Vernon-Jackson.
His decision has sparked speculation that Hancock may be running again so that he can claim a resettlement grant for MPs, which is thought to be worth up to £33,000. Resettlement fees are paid when MPs leave parliament but only to an MP who fights and loses the seat for which they are elected.His decision has sparked speculation that Hancock may be running again so that he can claim a resettlement grant for MPs, which is thought to be worth up to £33,000. Resettlement fees are paid when MPs leave parliament but only to an MP who fights and loses the seat for which they are elected.
Hancock has denied this, telling the Guardian that if voters in Portsmouth South do not want him to take the money, they should return him to parliament.Hancock has denied this, telling the Guardian that if voters in Portsmouth South do not want him to take the money, they should return him to parliament.
Hancock, 68, was ejected from the party by Nick Clegg after admitting making sexual advances towards a vulnerable female constituent.Hancock, 68, was ejected from the party by Nick Clegg after admitting making sexual advances towards a vulnerable female constituent.
The veteran backbencher apologised at London’s high court over the “inappropriate and unprofessional friendship” with a single mother from Portsmouth, known only as Annie, who has experienced mental ill health.The veteran backbencher apologised at London’s high court over the “inappropriate and unprofessional friendship” with a single mother from Portsmouth, known only as Annie, who has experienced mental ill health.
The married father-of-two also admitted having a four-year affair with alleged Russian spy Ekaterina Zatuliveter in 2011.The married father-of-two also admitted having a four-year affair with alleged Russian spy Ekaterina Zatuliveter in 2011.
His decision to stand again has angered the woman, who had to pursue Hancock through the courts for five years before she forced him to apologise.His decision to stand again has angered the woman, who had to pursue Hancock through the courts for five years before she forced him to apologise.
In a statement to the Guardian, Annie said: “I am shocked that he has the audacity to think he is still fit to serve the public. It is personally very distressing for me each time I hear his name. Given his age and the wording of the full apology he had to give me, he should do the right thing and retire from politics altogether so I can then move on with my life.”In a statement to the Guardian, Annie said: “I am shocked that he has the audacity to think he is still fit to serve the public. It is personally very distressing for me each time I hear his name. Given his age and the wording of the full apology he had to give me, he should do the right thing and retire from politics altogether so I can then move on with my life.”
Hancock told the Guardian: “I’ve made this decision because my health is so much better and I think I owe it to a lot of people who have supported me.Hancock told the Guardian: “I’ve made this decision because my health is so much better and I think I owe it to a lot of people who have supported me.
“People want me to win, and I think I can do it,” he said.“People want me to win, and I think I can do it,” he said.
He criticised his former leader saying that Clegg had become “toxic” for the party. “There is a reason that no one wants him to visit their constituency. He is the reason that the Lib Dems are in trouble,” he said.He criticised his former leader saying that Clegg had become “toxic” for the party. “There is a reason that no one wants him to visit their constituency. He is the reason that the Lib Dems are in trouble,” he said.
Politicians are entitled to up to six months’ salary to help them adjust to life outside the Commons, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) has said.Politicians are entitled to up to six months’ salary to help them adjust to life outside the Commons, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) has said.
Asked whether he was planning to claim the resettlement grant if helost, he said: “Plenty of MPs will take this money if they lose. I am not doing it for the money. If they don’t want me to claim the money, they should vote me back in.”Asked whether he was planning to claim the resettlement grant if helost, he said: “Plenty of MPs will take this money if they lose. I am not doing it for the money. If they don’t want me to claim the money, they should vote me back in.”
Hancock has been a politician for 47 years, joining the Labour party in 1968. He had two spells in parliament totalling 21 years, before resigning from the Liberal Democrats in September 2014 after being suspended by Clegg. Hancock has been a politician for 47 years, joining the Labour party in 1968. He had two spells in parliament totalling 21 years, before resigning from the Lib Dems in September 2014 after being suspended by Clegg.
Asked to comment on Hancock’s decision to stand at the launch of the Liberal Democrats’ election campaign, Clegg said: “I can’t stop him – he’s not a Liberal Democrat. It’s a free country; if he wants to stand in his own right he’s entirely free to do so.’ Asked to comment on Hancock’s decision to stand at the launch of the Lib Dems’ election campaign, Clegg said: “I can’t stop him – he’s not a Lib Dem. It’s a free country; if he wants to stand in his own right he’s entirely free to do so.
‘Mike Hancock is no longer a member of the Liberal Democrats,” Clegg said. “He can do what he likes.” “Mike Hancock is no longer a member of the Liberal Democrats,” Clegg said. “He can do what he likes.”
Hancock was accused of making repeated physical sexual advances towards Annie – a young mother who had asked for help with noisy neighbours – despite being made aware that she suffered a mental health disorder and had been sexually abused as a child. Mike Hancock is no longer a member of the Liberal Democrats … he can do what he likes
Hancock was accused of making repeated physical sexual advances towards Annie – a young mother who had asked for help with noisy neighbours – despite being made aware that she suffered from mental health problems and had been sexually abused as a child.
Over a seven-month period from November 2009 Annie, who was then 35 and had a 12-year-old son, claimed the MP placed his hand on her breast, exposed himself and kissed her on many occasions without consent.Over a seven-month period from November 2009 Annie, who was then 35 and had a 12-year-old son, claimed the MP placed his hand on her breast, exposed himself and kissed her on many occasions without consent.
Hancock also took her and her son to parliament for dinner, she said, bought her a teddy bear that he named Mike and sent her dozens of texts.Hancock also took her and her son to parliament for dinner, she said, bought her a teddy bear that he named Mike and sent her dozens of texts.
Some messages said: “Please give me a chance you never know my princess xxx”, “… you are special and sexy to me xxx” and “just got here and in bed alone my love xxx”.Some messages said: “Please give me a chance you never know my princess xxx”, “… you are special and sexy to me xxx” and “just got here and in bed alone my love xxx”.
He apologised to the high court after being sued by Annie and paid undisclosed damages.He apologised to the high court after being sued by Annie and paid undisclosed damages.