Latest news with #TomHunt
BBC News
3 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Former Ipswich MP Tom Hunt expelled from Conservative Party
Former MP Tom Hunt has been asked to leave the Conservative was MP for Ipswich from December 2019 to July 2024, when he lost the seat to Labour's Jack Abbott. The Conservative Party said he had been "expelled from the Conservative Party following a complaints process", but did not provide further said he was "deeply disappointed" by the decision and "strongly refuted the complaint". Hunt was a Conservative district councillor in East Cambridgeshire and worked at the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority before he won the Ipswich seat from Labour's Sandy Martin in the 2019 general losing to Abbott, Hunt has been actively campaigning against legalising assisted dying and as recently as 11 July was writing in Conservative Home about his predictions for the bill. A spokesperson for the Conservative Party said the process relating to the complaint which led to the party asking Hunt to leave was "rightly confidential".In a statement, Hunt said: "I am deeply disappointed by this provisional decision."I have strongly refuted the complaint from the start and continue to do so."I am currently seeking legal advice so it would be inappropriate for me to comment further at this stage. It's a confidential process."Local Conservatives have described their "surprise" at the turn of Fisher, the Conservative Group leader at Ipswich Borough Council, said: "This has come as a complete surprise to us."He [Tom Hunt] had been in semi-regular contact with Conservatives in the county and they are equally surprised."He went on to say "there was no prior warning or knowledge about the proceedings taking place". Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Former Kemi Badenoch ally expelled from Conservative Party
Former Conservative MP Tom Hunt has been expelled from the party after an investigation into a disciplinary matter. The party announced the decision after a long investigation into the former Ipswich MP, who lost his seat in last year's general election. A spokesman for the party said: 'Tom Hunt has been expelled from the Conservative Party following a complaints process. This process is rightly confidential.' However, Mr Hunt has said that he is 'disappointed' about the decision and indicated that he now intends to appeal. He told The Independent: 'I am deeply disappointed by this provisional decision. I have strongly refuted the complaint from the start and continue to do so. I am currently seeking legal advice so it would be inappropriate for me to comment further at this stage. It's a confidential process." During his time as an MP, Mr Hunt was deputy chairman of the influential right-wing Common Sense Group of Tory MPs. In his role, he had pushed for the Rwanda deportation scheme, greater immigration control, leaving the European Convention of Human Rights and a tougher stance on so called culture war issues. His name had been mentioned in speculation over defectors to Nigel Farage's Reform UK, but he had remained loyal to the Tories. He was a key supporter of Kemi Badenoch when she first ran for the party leadership in 2022. At the time he wrote for The Ipswich Star: 'I think she is genuinely courageous. Her delivery at the dispatch box is powerful. She speaks her mind, which is refreshing. She is passionate and patriotic, and I think she can excite and inspire the nation.' However, he since changed his mind and backed Ms Badenoch's main rival Robert Jenrick in the contest last year before she won last year.
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Former Tory MP expelled by party after complaints
A former Conservative MP has been expelled from the party following 'serious complaints' made against him, The Telegraph understands. Tom Hunt, who was MP for Ipswich from 2019 to 2024, lost his seat to Labour's Jack Abbott by a margin of 7,403 votes at the last election. A Conservative Party spokesman said: 'Tom Hunt has been expelled from the Conservative Party following a complaints process. This process is rightly confidential.' The Telegraph understands that there was a 'substantial' amount of evidence of wrongdoing, hence the severity of the sanction carried out by a disciplinary panel. Mr Hunt, 37, faced accusations in 2020 of fuelling racism after claiming that a 'disproportionate number' of offences in Ipswich, the town for which he was the MP, were committed by 'individuals from certain communities'. At the time campaigners for a local racial equality group accused him of 'an ill judged piece of dogwhistling'. Mr Hunt stood by his comments. 'Deeply disappointed' Tom Hunt told The Telegraph: 'I am deeply disappointed by this provisional decision. I have strongly refuted the complaint from the start and continue to do so. I am currently seeking legal advice so it would be inappropriate for me to comment further at this stage. It's a confidential process.' Writing in the East Anglian Daily Times in 2020, he said: 'It is impossible to start thinking about remedies to these issues without also being ready to confront the possibility that a disproportionate number of crimes are committed by individuals from certain communities. This is something we should be open and honest about. Brushing it under the carpet will not get us closer to solving the issue. 'Unfortunately, calling things how they are has not been a quality which we have come to expect from many in positions of responsibility on these matters. People who should know better are too quick to spout to politically correct mantras and too slow to call out problems in certain communities, hindering our ability to get to the bottom of the issue and leaving many residents and victims feeling like they don't have a voice.' The former MP will be able to appeal his expulsion, directly to the Conservative Party.
BBC News
29-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Architects appointed for Sheffield Town Hall restoration
The restoration of a historic town hall has moved a step closer with the appointment of an architectural design Town Hall, one of only two Grade I listed buildings in the city centre, is set to undergo major refurbishment to secure its long-term future, the city council building, which was opened by Queen Victoria in 1897, is currently used for council meetings, civic events, sporting celebrations and Tuesday, it was announced Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, which is behind Grade II listed Leah's Yard, would lead the restoration project and "breathe new life" into the building. In 2022, urgent work had to be carried out after a council report found serious risks including fire safety, Legionella from water supplies, no ventilation in the council chamber and leaks from an old large diesel to the council, the restoration plan would address key issues such as accessibility, fire safety, structural repairs and the preservation of historical features. The firm chosen to lead the project is known for schemes such as the transformation of the Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings and Brighton Dome Corn Exchange and Studio leader Tom Hunt said he was delighted the project was moving forward so that the town hall could "continue to serve everyone" and be a "modern, accessible workplace".He said: "Our iconic and historic town hall is at the heart of Sheffield's democracy and public life."From weddings to citizenship ceremonies, council meetings and elections, this special building has a unique place in the lives of Sheffield residents." Geoff Rich, partner and director of heritage and creative reuse at Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, said the firm felt "hugely honoured" to have been said: "The project represents an exciting opportunity to complement the building's unique heritage with inclusive and sustainable design, and to ensure the town hall meets the future needs of Sheffield's communities."An initial feasibility study in 2022 outlined potential restoration costs and safety works could range from £20m to £ council said it aimed to secure funding through "innovative strategies", balancing the needs of heritage preservation with financial sustainability. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Vigil held to mark three years of Ukraine war
A vigil has been held in Sheffield city centre to mark the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Organised by the Sheffield branch of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) and the city council, it featured a performance by the AUGB's children's choir and guest speakers in the Sheffield Winter Garden. Among those attending were council leader Tom Hunt and Lord Mayor of Sheffield Cllr Jayne Dunn. AUGB organiser Tanya Klymenko said the event was to bring the Ukrainian community together, but also remind British supporters of the continuing conflict. Ms Klymenko migrated from Ukraine before the war, but said she still wanted to support those who had arrived from a "backdrop of extreme trauma and stress". She pointed out that although this was the third anniversary of the full-scale invasion, Russia had been attacking Ukraine for almost 11 years. However, she said she had not seen support for Ukrainians waver since the start of the war. "It's absolutely amazing and unbelievable how many people in Britain still deeply care." In response to conversations between the United States and Russia about ending the war, she said Ukraine needed lasting security guarantees, and that it wasn't enough "to buy a couple of years of relative peace". She also supported the idea of Ukraine and Europe shifting away from dependence on American support. "At the end of the day, Trump has a point, it's first and foremost Europe's security issue," she said. Alla Bulavko said she had moved to Sheffield as a refugee three years ago with her son, who was now 17, but her older son and husband had remained in Ukraine to enlist as soldiers. "I worry for their lives, when I call them, I hear sirens almost every evening and every night. "Sometimes I have nervous attacks and cry without any reason. I think about their future, especially my son's. "He's young, he's a child for me, and I gave birth to him not for sending to the war." She said she was hopeful conversations between Russia and the US could signal the beginning of the end, but did not support peace talks without Ukraine being present. "It's impossible and nonsense to have a deal about peace in Ukraine without being joined by our president - our people, they trust our government." Zelensky says he hopes to end Ukraine war 'this year' Hunt said: "We stand with Ukraine as it fights for its future. "Of course, people want peace, but peace cannot be a one-sided deal. "A peace deal that does not stop Putin attacking again is no peace deal at all." Dunn said as mayor she had heard stories of "families torn and livelihoods lost", but also "kindness, solidarity, and hope". "To our Ukrainian friends, I want to say this: you are welcome here as long as it takes, our city is your home, and your presence enriches our community." Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here. 'The UK is my home now but you never forget you are a refugee' 'For a wounded Ukrainian soldier this restores their dignity' Photographer's drive to help Ukraine firefighters
