`Defector' in full retreat

An attempt by the party chairman, Dr Brian Mawhinney, to present the latest "defector" from Labour ended in confusion. Within minutes of Mr Marco Forgione (26) - a self-employed caterer from Yeovil - being introduced to the assembled media, the chairman and his new recruit were in full retreat pursued by a pack of reporters and cameramen. He was billed as an "aide to the Labour leadership" but he admitted he had never even been a Labour Party member.