UKIP: Neil Hamilton and Farage's offer of an MEP seat

The Hamiltons: A joke in British politics

We have published - along with GLW - details about how Farage offered Neil Hamilton the lead MEP position in the South West. We were mocked by the Farage sycophants for publishing 'lies'. So is the Independent now telling lies too?

It was interesting to note that Hamilton - the disgraced ex-Tory MP- has always declined to deny the wish to stand as a UKIP MEP when asked by concerned UKIPPERS. We can confirm that many UKIP branch chairmen in the SW are VERY unhappy at the prospect of Hamilton becoming a UKIP MEP. Indeed, complaints have been made to UKIP HQ and Farage faces a potential backlash over this this issue.

We would have thought that the fiasco over Bannerman and Andreasen - who saw the selection process rigged by Farage in order to ensure they became candidates - would have made him realise that his judgement was flawed to say the least. However, Farage is too arrogant to admit personal mistakes and is determined to see Hamilton as an MEP in the South West.

Would any serious party really want the joke that is Hamilton representing them in Brussels? The man has more baggage than an Easy Jet! But what Farage wants, Farage gets. And to hell with the consequences!

Here's a few facts about Hamilton:

Cash for Questions

On 20 October 1994, The Guardian published an article which claimed that Hamilton and another minister, Tim Smith, had received money, in the form of cash in brown envelopes. It claimed the money was paid to the men by Mohamed Al-Fayed, the owner of Harrods. In return, the men were to ask questions on behalf of Al-Fayed in the House of Commons. Smith admitted his guilt and resigned immediately. Hamilton claimed innocence but was forced to resign five days later, on 25 October 1994.

The "cash for questions" parliamentary enquiry took place in 1997, led by Downey. Hamilton vowed that if the "Downey report" found against him, he would resign.

Edwina Currie, a former health minister, gave evidence. She told the inquiry that in May 1988, Hamilton had been unmoved by a set of photographs that depicted smoking related cancers; that is, harm to young people which might be caused by a product (tobacco) that he promoted.^[19] Hamilton argued the pictures were irrelevant. Both Hamilton and Michael Brown had received a £6,000 honorarium and hospitality from Skoal Bandits.^[20] In late 1989, Thatcher banned the sale of Skoal Bandit products in the UK.

Downey reported that he found the evidence against Hamilton in the case of Al-Fayed "compelling". Hamilton received over £25,000 and had deliberately misled Michael Heseltine, then President of the Board of Trade, in October 1994, when he said he had no financial relationship with Ian Greer. In a phone conversation, Hamilton gave an absolute assurance to Heseltine that there was no such relationship. In fact, he had received two payments from Greer in 1988 and 1989, totalling £10,000.^[21] Hamilton had asked for payment in kind so the money would not be taxable. He also failed to register his stays at the Hôtel Ritz Paris and at Al-Fayed's castle in Scotland in 1989.

On 3 July 1997, the enquiry found Hamilton guilty of taking "cash for questions". Hamilton, Smith (also found guilty), Brown and Michael Grylls were harshly criticised. If Hamilton and Smith had remained in parliament, Downey said he might have recommended long periods of suspension for both. Hamilton rejected these findings, whereas Smith, who had stood down, accepted them, apologised for his conduct, and retired from politics altogether.

From Wiki

Still happy for this joker to become a UKIP MEP?

From the Independent:

The controversial former Tory MP Neil Hamilton is being lined up to head Ukip’s list of candidates for the June 2014 European elections, party sources have claimed.

Mr Hamilton, who reinvented himself as a television personality after he lost his seat following the “cash-for-questions” affair, was elected onto the party’s national executive committee two years ago. Party members hope his wife can be convinced to run alongside him.

Showing that the debacle of Robert Kilroy-Silk’s nine-month membership has not put Nigel Farage’s party off celebrity candidates, the pair could be joined on the list by DJs Jon Gaunt and Mike Read.

But The Independent has seen internal emails from grassroots members complaining about being “totally ignored” over selection choices.

To read the original: LINK

Also see: LINK