MR NEIL Hamilton, the Conservative MP at the centre of the cash for questions affair, has again vowed to fight the election after the emergence of veteran broadcaster Mr Martin Bell as an "anti corruption" candidate.
Mr Hamilton made it clear yesterday he would not stand down ahead of a crucial meeting of his Tatton constituency party tonight. His defiance, and Mr Bell's dramatic intervention, have put so called "sleaze" back on the agenda just as Mr John Major sought to turn the issue of "trust" against Mr Tony Blair.
Mr Major and the Chancellor Mr Kenneth Clarke, led a fresh assault on New Labour after Mr Blair's embrace of "privatisation", claiming the party's manifesto was "falling apart".
In a keynote speech in the City Mr Blair told businessmen his party was "not in the business of pressing the rewind button of reversing the reforms of the eighties". The Labour leader said: "I certainly believe that where there is no overriding reason for preferring the public provision of goods and services . . . economic activity is best left to the private sector with market forces being fully encouraged to operate.
Mr Blair's speech followed shadow chancellor Mr Gordon Brown's announcement that he was preparing a sell off of state assets, as Labour ditched its opposition to the flagship policy of the Thatcher years. Hard on the heels of Mr Robin Cook's apparent Uturn, virtually ruling out British membership of the single currency in the life of the next parliament, Mr Clarke alleged Labour were "unprincipled scoundrels" prepared to make policy on the hoof.
But the media focus remained firmly fixed on the continuing controversy about principles and standards in public life, as Mr Bell confirmed he would stand as an independent anti corruption candidate in Tatton, Cheshire, unless Mr Hamilton stood aside.
Mr Bell told a crowded press conference he did rot expect the contest to run the distance, as he expected Mr Hamilton to be out by tomorrow. But if it did come to a contest, he said would serve the full term of the new parliament.
He stressed his was not a move against Mr Major, and suggested the Conservatives would benefit it he forced Mr Hamilton out because they could then focus on other issues. But Mr Bell believed he was responding to a genuine desire among the voters of Tatton for an "elect able alternative" to Mr Hamilton. He said: "I have been aware of the deep unhappiness of people there. It's as if there's a kind of poison in the democratic system which means the democratic system is not able to operate." So called sleaze involved "just a few" but "affects the reputation of the many."
However, there were signs that Mr Bell's intervention could strengthen local support for Mr Hamilton.
The defiant MP branded his new opponent the "anti fair play" candidate. Mr Hamilton said: "Mr Bell knows I have strenuously denied any allegation of corruption. I believe the Downey inquiry will clear me of this charge. We know nothing of Mr Bell's opinions, save one - he is against the basic principle of British justice, that a man is innocent until proven guilty."
PA adds:
Labour has a 21 point lead over the Tories - with less than four weeks to polling day, according to the latest opinion survey. Labour is on 51 per cent, the Tories on 30 per cent and the Liberal Democrats on 11 per cent, an NOP poll for Reuters found.
Labour's support has gone down by three points, while the Tories have gained one since the previous survey three weeks ago.