The LibDem MP for Portsmouth South, Mike Hancock is undoubtedly fond of much younger women and has admitted to extra-marital affairs, but I cannot see any way to excuse allegations made against him during the 2010 General Election.
In running for the the Justice and Anti-Corruption Party, Les Cummings distributed a leaflet calling Hancock a paedophile who had had a sexual relationship with a 14 year old girl during the 1980s: although Hancock had admitted to having a “kiss and cuddle” relationship which a teenage girl at this point, when he already was 40.
The flyer alleged that similarly paedophilic advances had been made to Romanian children. Hanock took out an immediate injunction, and today Cummings was convicted at Southampton Magistrate Court.
Even though Cummings received 117 votes compared to Hancock’s near 19,000, I do not see the decision to continue with the prosecution to be vindictive considering the shocking nature of the allegations. Although Hancock went on to be arrested in relation to improper conduct towards a female constituent, all charges later were dropped.
He should, however, be mocked endlessly for his tendency to employ attractive young women who turn out to have caught the eye of MI5. Even those who now have had their bail relaxed so they can apply for Russia Today.