CONDUCT OF THE HONOURABLE MEMBER FOR STRATFORD-ON-AVON

Early day motion 300, tabled 24 July 1997 by Michael Colvin (Conservative). Signed by 6 members.

That this House regrets and deplores the attempt in Early Day Motion 289 to link the honourable Member for Stratford-on-Avon with alleged political corruption in Ireland; notes that the honourable Member for Stratford-on-Avon was not a member of this House at the time, never met Charles Haughey, has never met Ben Dunne, only ever had one meeting with Fianna Fail officials in October 1992, several months after Charles Haughey had resigned as Irish Prime Minister on 10th February 1992, and that Saatchi & Saatchi's Dublin office subsequently handled, and were paid for, Fianna Fail's advertising for the election in November 1992, which returned Albert Reynolds as Prime Minister; further notes that the honourable Member for Stratford-on-Avon played no part in that election campaign, that apart from that one meeting he has had no contact with Fianna Fail, has never had a personal financial relationship with them and was at the time a full-time employee of the Saatchi Group; and deplores the use of the Order Paper to make totally unfounded attacks on the characters of honourable Members, or anyone else, using the privilege of the House to traduce their reputations in a way which would result in severe consequences but for that privilege.

Signatures by party: Conservative 6.