Patrick Mercer MP.
Discussion
Well educated, former Colonel, almost 25 years in the British Army, acclaimed author, counter terrorism & security expert and generally the type of guy we all want in parliament and government. Really thought he'd get another cabinet role soon.
Not sure he will now though:
Not sure he will now though:
Telegraph said:
Tory MP in row over 'taped attack' on David Cameron
A Conservative MP is at the centre of a row amid claims he was secretly taped making an extraordinary attack on David Cameron.
Patrick Mercer, a former shadow home affairs minister, was alleged to have branded the Prime Minister “an ----” during a conversation at a party given by a magazine and to have added: “I loathe him.”
Mr Mercer was also claimed in a tape recording, allegedly obtained by The People newspaper, to have said of Mr Cameron: “He’s a most despicable creature without any redeeming features. If I can think of one... he’s very rich.” Asked where the Prime Minister went wrong the MP was said to have replied: “He was born.”
Mr Mercer, MP for Newark, denied making the comments about Mr Cameron when questioned by The Sunday Telegraph last night - although he admitted being present at the party in question, where he had given a speech.
The pair have “history” - Mr Cameron sacked Mr Mercer in 2007 after the former army officer said that being called a “black b
d” was part and parcel of life in the armed forces. Mr Cameron, then the leader of the opposition, said the remarks at the time by the MP were “totally unacceptable”.
Mr Mercer is alleged, during the taped conversation, to have claimed Mr Cameron would be removed from 10 Downing Street in the spring and to have added: “I would take a beggar off the streets and put him in that position rather than have Cameron. Cameron is the worst politician in British history since William Gladstone.”
The 55-year-old MP, who supported David Davis, the former shadow home secretary, in the 2005 Conservative leadership contest won by Mr Cameron, was said by the newspaper to have criticised the Prime Minister’s “faux support” for Theresa May, the Home Secretary, who has been embroiled in an immigration row.
On the tape he is alleged to have said: “If the Prime Minister expresses his utmost confidence in you that means pack your bags. It always has done, especially with Cameron. What a creature.”
He is also said to have attacked Mr Cameron over a speech he gave in India last year criticising Pakistan for ignoring terrorists.
It is claimed he said: “If you want to insult Pakistan and you do it from the Indian territory how clever is that? He does it New Delhi. That was bad.”
The allegedly taped comments were said to have been obtained at a party given by The London Magazine at the Collyer-Bristow art gallery in London.
Since last year’s general election Mr Mercer has been a persistent critic of Coalition policy - recently describing defence cuts as “an insult to our brave armed forces”.
He has privately been highly critical of the Prime Minister to fellow Conservative MPs.
Mr Mercer told The Sunday Telegraph last night: “I was having a conversation with people. We were talking about a number of things including William Gladstone and the fact that he was a previous MP for Newark. He turned into the Murderer of (Charles) Gordon (of Khartoum).
“I had just made a speech.”
Asked if he had criticised the Prime Minister, the MP said: “Not along those lines no. The only thing I said was that the Home Secretary had been assured that she had the confidence of the PM and I said 'well look what happened to Liam Fox’.
“This was the London Magazine autumn party last Wednesday night. The speech was about the London Magazine. It wasn’t in any way political.
“My wife and son were there as were some constituents of mine. I will repeat just what I have said. I didn’t say those quotes. I didn’t make those quotes.”
There was no immediate reaction last night from either 10 Downing Street or Conservative Party HQ. A Tory spokesman said: “We are aware of this.”
If Mr Mercer is found by an inquiry to have breached party rules the strongest possible punishment would be having the Conservative “whip” taken away from him in the House of Commons.
Last year he was accused of leaving his mistress with an £8,000 bill for refurbishing a flat they were to share, after reneging on a promise to leave his wife.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/8886745/Tory-MP-in-row-over-taped-attack-on-David-Cameron.htmlA Conservative MP is at the centre of a row amid claims he was secretly taped making an extraordinary attack on David Cameron.
Patrick Mercer, a former shadow home affairs minister, was alleged to have branded the Prime Minister “an ----” during a conversation at a party given by a magazine and to have added: “I loathe him.”
Mr Mercer was also claimed in a tape recording, allegedly obtained by The People newspaper, to have said of Mr Cameron: “He’s a most despicable creature without any redeeming features. If I can think of one... he’s very rich.” Asked where the Prime Minister went wrong the MP was said to have replied: “He was born.”
Mr Mercer, MP for Newark, denied making the comments about Mr Cameron when questioned by The Sunday Telegraph last night - although he admitted being present at the party in question, where he had given a speech.
The pair have “history” - Mr Cameron sacked Mr Mercer in 2007 after the former army officer said that being called a “black b
d” was part and parcel of life in the armed forces. Mr Cameron, then the leader of the opposition, said the remarks at the time by the MP were “totally unacceptable”.Mr Mercer is alleged, during the taped conversation, to have claimed Mr Cameron would be removed from 10 Downing Street in the spring and to have added: “I would take a beggar off the streets and put him in that position rather than have Cameron. Cameron is the worst politician in British history since William Gladstone.”
The 55-year-old MP, who supported David Davis, the former shadow home secretary, in the 2005 Conservative leadership contest won by Mr Cameron, was said by the newspaper to have criticised the Prime Minister’s “faux support” for Theresa May, the Home Secretary, who has been embroiled in an immigration row.
On the tape he is alleged to have said: “If the Prime Minister expresses his utmost confidence in you that means pack your bags. It always has done, especially with Cameron. What a creature.”
He is also said to have attacked Mr Cameron over a speech he gave in India last year criticising Pakistan for ignoring terrorists.
It is claimed he said: “If you want to insult Pakistan and you do it from the Indian territory how clever is that? He does it New Delhi. That was bad.”
The allegedly taped comments were said to have been obtained at a party given by The London Magazine at the Collyer-Bristow art gallery in London.
Since last year’s general election Mr Mercer has been a persistent critic of Coalition policy - recently describing defence cuts as “an insult to our brave armed forces”.
He has privately been highly critical of the Prime Minister to fellow Conservative MPs.
Mr Mercer told The Sunday Telegraph last night: “I was having a conversation with people. We were talking about a number of things including William Gladstone and the fact that he was a previous MP for Newark. He turned into the Murderer of (Charles) Gordon (of Khartoum).
“I had just made a speech.”
Asked if he had criticised the Prime Minister, the MP said: “Not along those lines no. The only thing I said was that the Home Secretary had been assured that she had the confidence of the PM and I said 'well look what happened to Liam Fox’.
“This was the London Magazine autumn party last Wednesday night. The speech was about the London Magazine. It wasn’t in any way political.
“My wife and son were there as were some constituents of mine. I will repeat just what I have said. I didn’t say those quotes. I didn’t make those quotes.”
There was no immediate reaction last night from either 10 Downing Street or Conservative Party HQ. A Tory spokesman said: “We are aware of this.”
If Mr Mercer is found by an inquiry to have breached party rules the strongest possible punishment would be having the Conservative “whip” taken away from him in the House of Commons.
Last year he was accused of leaving his mistress with an £8,000 bill for refurbishing a flat they were to share, after reneging on a promise to leave his wife.
Victor McDade said:
Well educated, former Colonel, almost 25 years in the British Army, acclaimed author, counter terrorism & security expert and generally the type of guy we all want in parliament and government. Really thought he'd get another cabinet role soon.
We all want? Why? He sounds like an arrogant old school idiot to me. Not what I want in Parliament thanks - from any party. And how arrogant of you to think so.The real question should be: How do people like this GET to be MPs?
uk66fastback said:
We all want? Why? He sounds like an arrogant old school idiot to me. Not what I want in Parliament thanks - from any party. And how arrogant of you to think so.
The real question should be: How do people like this GET to be MPs?
here's the clue - "arrogant old school idiot"The real question should be: How do people like this GET to be MPs?
uk66fastback said:
We all want? Why? He sounds like an arrogant old school idiot to me. Not what I want in Parliament thanks - from any party. And how arrogant of you to think so.
The real question should be: How do people like this GET to be MPs?
A fellow who served for his country, intelligent, well educated, enjoyed success in the real world, well respected in his field, and appears to speak his mind... or a career politician?The real question should be: How do people like this GET to be MPs?
Before I make my decision I'd like to know more about him, but at face value, Mercer for me please.
Dimski said:
uk66fastback said:
We all want? Why? He sounds like an arrogant old school idiot to me. Not what I want in Parliament thanks - from any party. And how arrogant of you to think so.
The real question should be: How do people like this GET to be MPs?
A fellow who served for his country, intelligent, well educated, enjoyed success in the real world, well respected in his field, and appears to speak his mind... or a career politician?The real question should be: How do people like this GET to be MPs?
Before I make my decision I'd like to know more about him, but at face value, Mercer for me please.
hidetheelephants said:
Gargamel said:
Last year he was accused of leaving his mistress with an £8,000 bill for refurbishing a flat they were to share, after reneging on a promise to leave his wife.
Sounds like a right Alan Clark....
EFA; is being a bit of a bounder such a terrible thing?Sounds like a right Alan Clark....
hidetheelephants said:
EFA; is being a bit of a bounder such a terrible thing?
Just my opinion, but a man happy to lie to people he loves, is probably very happy to lie to the electorate. I don't mind a bit of "character" in a politician, it is a good thing. But this chap comes across as racist, misogynist and frankly a bit of a loose cannon.
Gargamel said:
hidetheelephants said:
EFA; is being a bit of a bounder such a terrible thing?
Just my opinion, but a man happy to lie to people he loves, is probably very happy to lie to the electorate. I don't mind a bit of "character" in a politician, it is a good thing. But this chap comes across as racist, misogynist and frankly a bit of a loose cannon.
Perhaps he wouldn't get my vote after all...
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