- Wellingborough by-election underway
- Helen Harrison replaces Peter Bone
- Bone faces recall over misconduct
Helen Harrison, a local councillor, aims to secure the seat vacated by Mr. Bone. She previously attempted, unsuccessfully, to become a Conservative Member of Parliament.
In place of the disgraced former Conservative MP Peter Bone, the Conservative candidate for the Wellingborough by-election is his companion.
Helen Harrison, a Conservative councillor representing the North Northamptonshire constituency in Wellingborough, was reportedly elected by party members on Sunday afternoon, as reported by party chair Richard Holden.
An election is underway following Parliament’s discovery that Mr. Bone engaged in sexual misconduct and abuse towards a staff member. He denies the accusations.
Due to the suspension of his whip, Mr. Bone serves in the House of Commons as an independent Member of Parliament, not a Conservative.
Despite the suspension, he has been observed campaigning with the party.
A recall petition signed by his constituents resulted in his recall, leading to an upcoming by-election, albeit with an unconfirmed date.
Mr. Bone may stand during the vote if he chooses, though his intention remains uncertain.
Other candidates are Green Will Morris, Liberal Ana Savage Gunn, Reform UK Ben Habib, and Labour Gen Kitchen.
This is not the first time Ms. Harrison has run for a Westminster seat; in 2017, she unsuccessfully sought election as the Conservative Member of Parliament for Bolsover. The incumbent, Dennis Skinner, emerged victorious.
A rematch of the election victory would be required at the subsequent general election, highly probable to occur this year.
In 2012 and 2013, Mr. Bone “committed numerous diverse acts of bullying and one act of sexual misconduct” against a staff member, according to a report into his conduct.
The Independent Expert Panel, overseeing parliamentary behavior, reaffirmed an earlier investigation that concluded Mr. Bone violated the MPs’ code of conduct on one count of sexual misconduct and four counts of intimidation.
In a Madrid hotel restroom, he indecently exposed himself to the plaintiff while on business.
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Mr. Bone issued the following statement on X subsequent to the recall election outcome: “The recall petition was initiated in response to an investigation into purported instances of bullying and malfeasance directed at a former employee over a decade ago.
“These accusations are completely baseless and incorrect.
“In the new year, I will have more to say on these matters. I wish you and your loved ones a joyous Christmas and a prosperous New Year.”
Since 2005, Mr. Bone has served as the Member of Parliament for Wellingborough, Northamptonshire. In the most recent election in 2019, he was re-elected with a majority of 18,540.
A sequence of by-elections in which the Conservatives previously held five-figure majorities have been lost. Including Somerton and Frome, Selby and Ainsty, and Mid Bedfordshire.
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