On 3 July 1997, the enquiry found Hamilton guilty of taking "cash for questions". The records have been examined - and there is no such impact. British politician from Wales, UKIP leader, Student activity and early political career, Dropping of libel action against the Young Conservatives. [66], During the case, Hamilton said he saw himself as being "the Mike Yarwood of the Federation of Conservative Students"[67] and that he frequently did impressions of public figures such as Frankie Howerd, Harold Wilson, Edward Heath, Charles De Gaulle and Enoch Powell. Needlebow 3 yr. ago. "[52], In April 2018, Hamilton said that "the idea that Enoch Powell was some kind of uniquely racist villain is absolute nonsense". The party's leader Nigel Farage pledged to support him in the election for the National Executive Committee. [71], The National Young Conservatives hinted at a stitch-up at the BBC. 38:38. [20] Hamilton, together with Michael Brown, became an enthusiastic supporter of US Tobacco's product Skoal Bandits, a tea-bag type of pouch of tobacco designed for chewing. He is a silly fellow, who brought discredit on a decent Prime Minister, John Major, who tried to protect him long after more ruthless premiers would have swept him aside.But none of these antics deserves a life-long persecution. [115] After Clifford died in prison in December 2017, he was described by Hamilton as a "monster". The "cash for questions" parliamentary enquiry took place in 1997, led by Downey. But her inclusion in the roster of people too desperate for money and recognition to say no, says a great deal deal about our love-hate relationship with fame and riches, and how much we want to see the famous and rich brought low. The money, so far as the grasping couple are concerned, couldn't have come at a better time. They went on the road in rep appearing in a revival of the Rocky Horror Show. Christine Hamilton dropped from charity after comparing burqa to KKK. Hamilton came third in the first series of the reality television programme, I'm a CelebrityGet Me Out of Here! RM E0WT12 - Dec. 12, 1963 - Christine Keeler jailed for Nine months: Today at the Old Bailey, 21 year old Christine Keeler was jailed for nine months for Perjury and Conspiracy to obstruct the course of justice. The programme made a number of allegations regarding Hamilton's past and more recent activities. 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. HIGNFY S33E06 - Chris Tarrant, Lembit Opik & Andy Hamilton. Part of the problem is that neither Neil nor Christine appear to show the smallest understanding of what a seismic blow they dealt to the nation's relationship with its political leaders. It claimed the money was paid to the men by Mohamed Al-Fayed, the owner of Harrods. She attended Wentworth College, an independent boarding school for girls in Bournemouth[3] and a co-educational Grammar School in Christchurch, Dorset. ALLEGATIONS RELATING TO NON-DECLARATION OF INTERESTS b. [61], On 30 January 1984, a Panorama programme, "Maggie's Militant Tendency", was broadcast. [94] On 1 October 1996, Hamilton appeared on the evening television program, Newsnight, and engaged in a live debate with Alan Rusbridger, the editor of The Guardian.[95]. This event was recorded on film by Louis Theroux, who, at that time, was spending time with the Hamiltons for an episode of his documentary series When Louis Met.[111], In June 2003, Nadine Milroy-Sloan, the woman responsible for the unfounded accusation, was sentenced to three years in jail for perverting the course of justice. She then studied sociology at the University of York and first met Neil Hamilton when they both attended a student political conference. When Martin Bell, the BBC war correspondent, announced he would stand as an independent candidate in Tatton, the Labour and Liberal Democrat candidates for the area stood down in order to give Bell a clear run against Hamilton. "[8] The journalist John Sweeney later published Purple Homicide, an account of the campaign for the Tatton seat. Press interest turned to Hamilton's past statements about the Berlin visit, over which Tory witnesses were alleged to have been pressured to say that they had not seen goose-stepping or Nazi-style salutes. Christine Hamilton. He was defeated by an independent candidate, Martin Bell, in the 1997 general election. She falsely alleged she was attacked by Neil and Christine Hamilton in 2001 Under the name Emily Checksfield she was jailed for four years last week This time she told police her boyfriend. [131], Since 2008, he has been company secretary of Vixen Consultants Limited. This does not mean that he committed the offence.Even if he did, there is one powerful plea in mitigation. He was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Corporate Affairs by Prime Minister John Major in 1992. Reports suggest that it is pounds 100,000, though the Hamiltons declare that to be "a wild underestimate". Neil Hamilton elected leader of Ukip group . Christine wrote a book of Battleaxes, Neil wrote a book of political eccentrics. [28] Like some other Conservative ministers, Hamilton had also opposed the treaty and was a member of the Eurosceptic "No Turning Back" group. Christine, when interviewed by the journalist Lynn Barber, explained her husband's unchallenged acceptance of hospitality with Mr Fayed at The Ritz in these terms. "I consider I have the responsibility to vindicate the good work done by the members of that committee. April 28, 2021, 10:03 am. "[82] Hamilton's announcement failed to quell demands for an enquiry and Campbell-Savours denounced Tebbit's tactic of making his statements outside the House of Commons chamber, accusing him of "a deliberate ploy to avoid placing himself in contempt by misleading the House in a personal statement". [96] Hamilton argued the pictures were irrelevant. All the "cash-for-questions" evidence was sent to Sir Gordon Downey, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards. [citation needed], In November 1989, Hamilton won the Spectator parliamentary wit of the year award. [16], Hamilton resumed his activities as a supporter of pressure groups, including the Western Goals Institute, led by ex-Young Monday Club Chairman, Andrew V. R. Smith and attracting the support of other parliamentarians such as Sir Patrick Wall, Bill Walker, Nicholas Winterton and the Revd. Mr Pedley indicated that he intends to continue the case. 20 years of Sacha Baron Cohen: all of his best political interviews . He was the Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) for Tatton from 1983 to 1997 and a UKIP Member of the Senedd (MS) for Mid and West Wales from 2016 to 2021. [30] Their accuser, Nadine Milroy-Sloan, was charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, and in 2002 sentenced to 3 years imprisonment for making the false accusations.[31][32][33][34]. For the next couple of weeks, his plastic would have gone to sleep. Thanks to the rewind feature and internet access, the movie is pretty easy to understand. Hamilton was a teacher at St John's College in Southsea between 1973 and 1976. She is an actress, known for Lady Godiva: Back in the Saddle (2007), Razzberry Jazzberry Jam (2008) and The All New Harry Hill Show (2003). The chairman, Richard Fuller, told the Eastern Area Young Conservatives: "I find it strange that they have apparently decided to settle now, when things appeared to be going well. People such as the Hamiltons are evidence of our impatience with that ritual, and our frustration over its hit-and-miss qualities. I hope this will now cease, together with set-ups and the surveillance and harassment of other witnesses; in my case by private security companies."[91]. "[23] Hamilton strongly encouraged Thatcher to persist. Hamilton vowed that if the "Downey report" found against him, he would resign. Hamilton initially refused, saying, "What is there to apologise for?" While Hamilton did not deny the holiday, he continued to maintain that he was innocent of improper conduct. Edwina Currie, a former health minister, gave evidence. [8] He appointed himself its "Grand Imperial Prior" and called for the abolition of the internal combustion engine and plastic. It was upheld third by the failure of his own libel action against Mr Fayed, which - if anything - hardened the charges. There were brown envelopes going; a former Tory MP, Tim Smith, admitted that he took one. [6] Hamilton went on to study at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge,[7] where he attained a postgraduate law degree.[1]. At the time, one Tory whip said: "I don't think that Hamilton would have taken brown envelopes. 28:45. Hamilton was elected to the House of Commons in the 1983 general election. [24], Hamilton has appeared on numerous topical television programmes including GMTV, Loose Women, This Week, The Alan Titchmarsh Show, This Morning and The Wright Stuff. RM B4XM25 - Christine Hamilton breaks down in a tv interview Aug 2001 with her husband Neil Hamilton. [21] Hamilton was obliged to concede he had been wrong to make no reference to the payment "when I went on those meetings with Ministers". I dont Christine thats why lots of people dont like my humour so I . When they went to the police to give their statements they were accompanied by a television crew from the BBC whose offbeat documentary-maker Louis Theroux is filming them. Neil and Christine Hamilton campaigning for Ukip. [18], Hamilton also lent his support to the No Turning Back Group organised by his friend Michael Brown MP. He then lost an appeal and ended up in dire financial straits.When he lost his Tatton seat to the anti-sleaze candidate Martin Bell, the BBC war reporter, his wife confronted the newsman. If there is any national award going for the most ludricous couple in Britain Neil and Christine Hamilton deserve to win it after their performance last night. September 1997: Mr Fayed alleges Hamilton accepted pounds 30,000 in brown envelopes. Hamilton attended Amman Valley Grammar School in Ammanford. He was instructed by the presiding officer to apologise for the remark. Jeremy Paxman states that Conservative Central Office "begged him not to stand, but in a gesture of overweening arrogance, he refused to go quietly. The Hamiltons (TV Movie 2001) Christine Hamilton as Self. [60], After a period as acting leader, Hamilton was elected as leader in October 2021, receiving 498 out of 631 votes cast (78.9%) against challenger John Poynton. May 1997: Hamilton loses his parliamentary seat to BBC journalist Martin Bell in the wake of ``Cash for Questions'' sleaze allegations. Martin Smyth. "The sleaze report: Five men who fell below the standards that Parliament demands from an MP - Hamilton: cash and a stay at Ritz; Smith: accepted cash in return for lobbying; Grylls: Misled committee over dealings Bowden: Did not declare; Brown: Failed to register", Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Corporate Affairs, 1995 Conservative Party leadership election, elections for the National Assembly for Wales, membership ballot for the leadership of UKIP in Wales, "The Hamilton Affair: Fayed demolishes Hamilton in the sleaze trial of the century", "UKIP: Ex-Conservative minister Neil Hamilton elected party leader", "Notes of the month: Parliamentary privilege", "Eldon League Wants To Abolish 20th Century", UK General Election results February 1974, "Hamilton's career came to crashing end over cash for questions scandal", "Register of Potential and Actual Peerage Cases in which the Debtor is a Member of the House of Commons including a Record of Returns Sent", "Hansard: Select Committee on Standards and Privileges First Report: VI. (Not that self-justification would ever have been much of a problem for him where cash was involved.) "[85] Legal career [ edit] From September 1979, Hamilton practised as a barrister. The Independent wrote: "Sir Gordon, contrary to Hamilton's confident expectations, had no compunction about concluding that he did indeed take cash in brown envelopes" and called on the new party leader to "expel the miscreants". [122] He appeared on a celebrity edition of Mastermind on Boxing Day 2004. Hamilton resisted the pressure from senior Conservatives and Conservative Central Office to stand down. When it comes to blagging air tickets or free dinners, they have plenty of form, but rapists?If the allegations that they were involved in the sexual assault of a 28-year-old woman while another man raped her at his flat in Ilford had been levelled at anyone except the Hamiltons, one suspects that the natural scepticism of the police would have come into play.But the circus that developed is typical of the couple. HIGNFY S13E04 - Maureen Lipman, Neil & Christine Hamilton. Menu. Hamilton rejected these findings, whereas Smith, who had stood down, accepted them, apologised for his conduct, and retired from politics altogether. Campbell-Savours claimed this was proof of BBC nobbling and announced that he was sending his evidence to Sir Michael Havers, the Attorney General. Attempts were made to manage and rig statements by Mr. David Mitchell. He also failed to register his stays at the Htel Ritz Paris and at Al-Fayed's castle in Scotland in 1989.[100]. [93] They each paid 7,500 towards the paper's legal costs. Smith admitted his guilt and resigned immediately. He now had a friend in a crucial ministry, and brown envelopes or not, there had been a lavish week at the Ritz to build up a debt of gratitude.Al-Fayed promptly wrote to congratulate Neil Hamilton on his appointment, but the reply came as a rude shock. Ms Milroy-Sloan was jailed for three years in June 2003, and the Hamiltons launched 24 defamation claims against Clifford, one for each newspaper he'd repeated Milroy-Sloan's claims in. Nikki: Oh, my God! [23], Hamilton was the face of 'British Sausage Week' in 2005 and the judge of 'Mr Gay Torbay' in 2009. [25] She later regretted the decision. [48] Hamilton was ousted as leader of UKIP in the National Assembly on 17 May 2018 and was replaced by Caroline Jones. Those qualities, after all, along with a few other nastier ones, were what shot him into the public eye in the first place, when he was accused by Mohammed Al Fayed of accepting "cash for questions" - of taking payment to make planted inquiries in the House of Commons in return for plain brown envelopes stuffed with cash. Neil: I-I-I didn't see her when I grabbed the wheel -- Nikki: Neil, stop it! Find Email Recipient stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. [citation needed] The Hamiltons appeared at the Edinburgh Festival in 2006 with their show, Lunch with the Hamiltons, at the Pleasance Dome in 2006. 28:21. He also said that he made the fateful suggestion that she interview each cabinet member individually, believing they would lack the resolve to tell her to her face that she must go. At Newman Media, Nate asks Audra what she thinks of mashups like country rock. Select from premium E Notify of the highest quality. Neil and Christine may feel that by "mining the rich seam of popular culture', as Neil calls it, they are winning. [103] Other contributors to the fund included Simon Heffer, Norris McWhirter, Peter Clarke, Lord Bell, Gyles Brandreth and Gerald Howarth (Hamilton's co-plaintiff in the BBC action). His "friends" on the other hand, have been television producers, popular- culture purveyors, and the same media that the couple despise for "bringing them down". Bell campaigned as an anti-sleaze candidate, and Christine Hamilton confronted him during a televised press conference on Knutsford Heath, which brought her to public prominence. Hamilton was defeated at the 2021 Senedd election. [6], Hamilton spent many years working as secretary to various Conservative MPs, first Wilfred Proudfoot MP for Brighouse and Spenborough, then Gerald Nabarro, MP for South Worcestershire. In August 2001, a mother-of-four from Grimsby, Nadine Milroy-Sloan, accused Neil and Christine Hamilton of sexual assault. January 2002: The Hamiltons are. On the more substantive allegations, Pedley said he reiterated the points made in the YC Report had been called into question. [112] In February 2005, the publicist Max Clifford, who had acted for Milroy-Sloan, settled, paying Hamilton an undisclosed sum. Two men were later imprisoned for the assault. "[118], On 30 March 2000, Hamilton appeared on Da Ali G Show on Channel 4, for a satirical comedic interview[119] when he was seen to be sharing what appeared to be a marijuana joint with the comedian Sacha Baron Cohen's "Ali G" character. Release Calendar Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie Spotlight. The Hamiltons flew first class, naturally, and BA took care of all the . The Guardian reported that "The spotlight had swivelled to Phil Pedley, the Tory defendant who remained adamant he would fight on alone, backed by independent funds and, he claims, a wide range of Conservative supporters. General election 1983: Neil Hamilton elected Conservative MP for Tatton. In the event the meetings were cancelled, as neither Le Pen nor Mussolini could come to Britain. Christine Hamilton was born on the 10th of November, 1949. He received a BScEcon degree in economics and politics from the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth in 1970, and an MScEcon degree in economics and politics in 1975. [120], In 2001 Hamilton appeared on When Louis Met, a documentary by Louis Theroux, during which he described himself and his wife as "professional objects of curiosity". David Davis, then a director of Tate and Lyle, persuaded that company to donate a sum to the cause. Disraeli had no money, but was subsidised by the Duke of Portland and the Rothschilds, who were hugely rich. Now they claim to have witnessed nothing. English author and media personality who has appeared on television shows such as GMTV. Her points are telling, not just because she fails to understand that those jolly times in the Eighties were extremely damaging to the standing of all politicians, and the low level of trust the public now feels for them, but also because she admits to her longstanding tendency to boast about freebies and be excited by them. bobalmighty. What's the difference between cardiac arrest and a heart attack? On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. [24] On 21 November 1990, Hamilton and like-minded colleagues met Thatcher at Downing Street. Hamilton said that Powell "changed politics by articulating the fears and resentments of millions and millions of people who are being ignored by the establishment". At the time, Hamilton was a member of a Commons select committee on finance. She appeared on the television talk show Loose Women, starring Nadia Sawalha. [46] Nathan Gill subsequently left the UKIP group in the assembly to sit as an independent,[47] resulting in Neil Hamilton becoming UKIP's Leader in Wales in September 2016. "[64], The prosecution was financed by Sir James Goldsmith[65] and Taki, The Spectator columnist. Oh! However, Pedley reaffirmed that he "had no intention of withdrawing from the case. (January 1987). The Financial Times reported, "A solicitor for Mr Hamilton and Mr Howarth said later that their linked libel action against Mr Philip Pedley would continue. News Staff. Anne Spackman and Anthony Bevins, "BBC witness shaken rigid", Pedley Prepared Court Statement, 3 December 1986. When Neil Hamilton was made a minister at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), al-Fayed was delighted. Alexis manages to pull herself up and make her way to Kendra's car. The Hamiltons have been making some impressive investments of late, having just spent nearly pounds 1.2m on a new home in Wiltshire. Hamilton was under investigation by the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner as part of the cash for questions enquiry and some party members thought he should stand down after the collapse of his case against The Guardian. "Do you accept my husband is innocent?" A Nazi salute is a criminal offence in the Federal Republic of Germany. There are 300+ professionals named "Christine Hamilton", who use LinkedIn to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities. [4] His father was a chief engineer for the National Coal Board. [70] The settlement of the case raised serious concerns regarding political pressure and the intimidation of witnesses. "If he refuses, then the country will know that a conspiracy of silence is being engineered by senior figures to hide the truth."[83]. His grandfathers were coal miners. I'm a nurse. Find E Notify stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. [28], Along with her husband, she was arrested in May 2001 by police investigating an alleged rape that was found to be false. Neil Hamilton was an associate of al-Fayed's, who was clearly trying to build up a client-list of Tory MPs.Moreover, it is easy to imagine how Neil Hamilton would have justified the brown envelopes to himself. "The second is Neil Hamilton's imprudence. However, after he lost his parliamentary seat in 1997, he vowed never to return to "that constipated profession". On 12 September 2020, he was appointed acting leader, replacing Freddy Vachha. Fortunately, one of the world's leading experts on food poisoning worked in Hong Kong, and was a consultant to BA. [110] The investigation against the couple was dropped when it became apparent that the accusations were entirely false. Hamilton had given a categorical denial he had made a Nazi salute in Berlin to John Selwyn Gummer, the Party Chairman, in January 1984: But, writing in the Sunday Times, Hamilton admitted making "a little salute" in the Reichstag. Funds for the action were donated by Lord Harris of High Cross, the Earl of Portsmouth and Taki, who raised 50,000. [130], In 1992, Hamilton suffered a broken nose when he defended Harvey Proctor during a homophobic attack in Proctor's shirtmaking shop. On 25 October, the press reported new evidence of inappropriate witness contact. He was on their parliamentary advisory board. In September 2003, after having a residence in the Tatton constituency for twenty years, the Hamiltons moved to Hullavington, Wiltshire, where they purchased a home in October 2004. Angus Deayton, the presenter of the panel game, wore a white suit instead of his usual brown one. Derek Laud was an ex-Monday Club activist and protg of Hamilton's friend Michael Brown, who offered Hamilton a fee of 8,000 per year. Hamilton said in his own evidence: "I have never received a penny from Mr Fayed; I have never asked. Along with his wife, Hamilton earns his living as a "celebrity", prostituting his notoriety for money and making freak-show entertainment out of his lack of shame and remorse. Some Conservative MPs (approximately 40 of the 165) also made contributions. If Hamilton and Smith had remained in parliament, Downey said he might have recommended long periods of suspension for both. - INDEPENDENT. They are filled with contempt for a man who can make these sort of accusations of a criminal offence against a member of staff, who, Mr Campbell-Savours knows damn well, is not guilty of it."[80]. It was probably that, as much as a desire to front things out, that led the pair to relaunch themselves as what Neil calls "media butterflies living on our wits, broadcasting. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. [98], Downey reported that he found the evidence against Hamilton in the case of Al-Fayed "compelling". It is those false claims that have finally come to yield such splendid rewards. Batten said he expected his Welsh Assembly members to now "work together for UKIP's cause and get on with the job. Actress: Lady Godiva: Back in the Saddle. Both Stewart and Merchant were found to have support consistent with their party's standing, but in Tatton "there was massive hostility to Hamilton".[34]. The political class have plundered every resource from the working class yet they still feel aggrieved by the one thing they haven't yet stolen their opinions & critique. View the profiles of professionals named "Christine Hamilton" on LinkedIn. With Louis Theroux, Neil Hamilton, Christine Hamilton, Gyles Brandreth. The eventual winner would become the UKIP Assembly Group Leader and ultimately the party's main spokesperson for Wales. He left the Club in 1973, and stood as chairman of the Federation of Conservative Students against David Davis, but lost. "The individual responsibility of ministers" in David Pollard, Neil Parpworth, David Hughes. Neil Hamilton was forced to resign as a Tory trade and industry minister after claims that he took money from Mohamed al-Fayed, the owner of Harrods, in return for asking questions in Parliament.He took his feud with al-Fayed to the High Court and lost a libel action in 1999. The programme also made the claim that Hamilton gave a Nazi salute in Berlin while "messing around" on a parliamentary visit in August 1983. bobalmighty. [51], Hamilton caused further controversy during a debate on the effects of Brexit in Wales. Now the disgraced former MP is fighting for a seat in the Welsh assembly - and his wife is alongside..
