Flasher ex-MP partner bids to take his place
Girlfriend could replace Tory Bone after bullying probe forces him out
THE partner of disgraced MP Peter Bone has been selected to replace him as Tory candidate for the seat he was booted out of.
Mr Bone’s constituents voted to kick him out last month after an inquiry found he had subjected a staff member to bullying and sexual misconduct.
The exit of Mr Bone, 71, who denies the allegations, means a by-election.
Mr Bone’s partner Helen Harrison is currently a Conservative councillor.
Tory Party Chairman Richard Holden wrote: “Congratulations to Helen Harrison on being selected at a packed meeting of Conservative members.”
Mr Bone was suspended as MP for Wellingborough, Northants, six weeks after a report published by the MPs behaviour watchdog found he had broken sexual misconduct rules by indecently exposing himself to a staff member during an overseas trip.
Mr Bone, who sat as an independent after the findings, was stripped of his seat after losing a recall petition triggered by the length of his suspension.
Some 13.2% of constituents voted to oust him according to North Northamptonshire Council. This topped the 10% threshold for the recall to succeed.
It was reported Mr Bone was threatening to run as an independent in a by-election unless Ms Harrison was on the shortlist, but he denies this.
It sparked fears among Tories that Mr Bone, who had a majority of 18,540 in 2019, could split the vote and hand victory to Labour after its stunning by-election wins in 2023,
Shadow Paymaster General Jonathan Ashworth said: “Rishi Sunak caving to Peter Bone to select his partner shows just how weak the Prime Minister is.”
A date for the poll will be set after MPs return to the Commons today.
Caving in to Bone shows how weak the PM is
LABOUR MINISTER JONATHAN ASHWORTH