Stuart Bell MP

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Sir Stuart Bell ducks out of Middlesbrough Hustings
"Sir Stuart Bell, Middlesbrough’s MP for the last 27 years, has shown the contempt he has for his electorate by opting out of Thursday’s Hustings meeting at St Barnabas Church in Linthorpe, the one and only chance the people of Middlesbrough have to hear and question their general election candidates. His excuse? Church Commission business," writes Chris Foot-Wood, Liberal Democrat Candidate for Middlesbrough. "I have long argued that MPs should not be spokespersons for any outside body, only for the people of their constituency. I have made a cast-iron promise that I will NOT be the parliamentary spokesperson for ANY outside organisation, ONLY for the people of Middlesbrough. Sir Start Bell is a Church Commissioner and is the official parliamentary spokesperson for the Church Commissioners. THIS IS WRONG! The people of Middlesbrough follow many different faiths and some adhere to no church. All must be equally represented by their MP without fear or favour or bias. That is my aim as your future MP."
http://chrisandglynisabbott.blogspot.co ... ut-of.html

Labour MP Stuart Bell questioned by police
By Andy McSmith, Chief Political Correspondent
12:00AM BST 11 Jul 2000
STUART BELL, the Labour MP for Middlesbrough, was arrested and taken to a police station for questioning after a dispute with a neighbour.
An argument appears to have arisen over a minor traffic accident. The MP's wife, Margaret, is believed to have been reversing out of the drive of their home in Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, when she collided with a van belonging to Malcolm Maclure, 31, whose parents live next door to the Bells.
Gordon Maclure, 68, a retired eye surgeon, said that his son needed hospital treatment for bruised ribs. He said: "Apparently there was a fracas some time on Friday and people have reported that voices were raised. I was told language was used which I have not heard the like of since I was in the Forces.
"My son had been looking after the house while we were away and was actually changing the taps in my daughter's bedroom when this happened. Our family has lived here for 31 years and Mr Bell has been our neighbour for 18 years. We always got on very well but there have been two other incidents in the last 12 months involving parking at the rear of the house." A spokesman for Cleveland Police said: "We can confirm that the Middlesbrough MP Stuart Bell was interviewed following an allegation of assault in the Linthorpe area of Middlesbrough. Police inquiries are continuing and Mr Bell was bailed pending further inquiries." A solicitor and family friend, Donald O'Rourke, said: "Mr Bell has not been charged with any offence. It seems to me this is much ado about nothing and I will be very surprised if anything comes of it." Mr Bell, who is 62, was in the Commons yesterday answering questions on behalf of the church commissioners. He and Tony Blair entered the Commons together in 1983, representing near neighbouring seats. Mr Bell was dropped from the Front Bench in 1997 and is thought unlikely to be awarded a Government post.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/ ... olice.html