Fiona Elizabeth Ann Jones (née Hamilton; 27 February 1957 – 28 January 2007) was a Labour Party politician in the United Kingdom. She was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Newark in Labour's landslide victory in the 1997 general election. is the 58th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 28th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... The Labour Party is a political party in the United Kingdom. ... A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters to a parliament. ... Newark is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. ... The UK general election, 1997 was held on 1 May 1997. ...

Jones was accused of fraudulently failing to declare the full amount of her election costs, and convicted of election fraud in March 1999. She was the first MP to be disqualified from membership of the House of Commons for that offence since it was introduced by the Corrupt and Illegal Practices Prevention Act 1883. However, the Court of Appeal overturned her conviction within weeks: the disqualification was revoked, and she resumed her place in the House of Commons. However, she lost her seat in the 2001 general election. She later lost a civil case brought against the police for malicious prosecution, and ultimately succumbed to alcoholism. In the broadest sense, a fraud is a deception made for personal gain. ... Campaign finance refers to the means by which money is raised for election campaigns. ... Electoral fraud is the deliberate interference with the process of an election. ... Type Lower House Speaker of the House of Commons Leader of the House of Commons Michael Martin, (Non-affiliated) since October 23, 2000 Harriet Harman, QC, (Labour) since June 28, 2007 Shadow Leader of the House of Commons Theresa May, PC, (Conservative) since December 6, 2005 Members 646 Political groups... The Corrupt and Illegal Practices Prevention Act of 1883 was a continuation of policy to make votes free from the intimidation of landowners and politicians. ... Court of Appeals is the title of certain appellate courts in various jurisdictions. ... Tony Blair William Hague Charles Kennedy The UK general election, 2001 was held on 7 June 2001 and was dubbed the quiet landslide by the media. ... Malicious prosecution is a common law intentional tort. ... Alcoholism is the consumption of, or preoccupation with, alcoholic beverages to the extent that this behavior interferes with the drinkers normal personal, family, social, or work life, and may lead to physical or mental harm. ...

Early life

Jones was born in Liverpool and grew up in Fazakerley. An only child, her father, Fred Hamilton,^[1] was a production manager for a pharmaceutical company, and was a friend of Labour MP Eric Heffer.^[2] Heffer gave her a copy of The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists when she was young, which inspired her to become an active socialist.^[2] She was educated at Mary Help of Christians Convent grammar school, Wirral College of Art and Preston College, and joined the Labour Party aged 17.^[3] Location within England Coordinates: , Sovereign state United Kingdom Constituent country England Region North West England Ceremonial county Historic county Merseyside Lancashire Admin HQ Liverpool City Centre Founded 1207 City Status 1880 Government  - Type Metropolitan borough, City  - Governing body Liverpool City Council Area  - Borough & City 43. ... Fazakerley IPA: is a suburb of north Liverpool, England, and a Liverpool City Council Ward. ... Eric Samuel Heffer (January 12, 1922 – May 27, 1991) was a British socialist politician. ... The only work of Robert Tressell, The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists is regarded as one of the most important novels concerning the class war in Britain at the turn of the 20th century. ... Socialism refers to a broad array of ideologies and movements which aim to improve society through collective and egalitarian action; and to a socio-economic system in which property and the distribution of wealth are subject to control by the community. ... Preston College is a Further Education college in the city of Preston, Lancashire, United Kingdom. ...

She became a freelance journalist; her future husband, Christopher Jones, was also a journalist, who later worked for BBC radio. The couple moved to Lincolnshire, where they were married in 1982.^[2] They had two sons together, Penri and Huw.^[4] Freelance 800F - The compact solution ABBs Freelance 800F control system combines easy engineering with an open, modern system architecture. ... This does not cite any references or sources. ... BBC Radio is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927. ... Lincolnshire (abbreviated Lincs) is a county in the east of England. ...

Political career

Jones was a Labour member of West Lindsey District Council from 1990 to 1994. She was unsuccessful as the Labour Parliamentary candidate in the Conservative stronghold of Gainsborough and Horncastle in the 1992 general election, finishing in third place, and then failed to secure the nomination to fight for the marginal seat for Lincoln and the safe Labour seat at Liverpool Riverside. Finally, in September 1995, she was selected to fight at Newark.^[3] A typical New Labour professional, she was selected ahead of the leader of the local council, Gill Dawn, who held more traditional Old Labour view, to the consternation of a number of local party activists.^[5] West Lindsey is a local government district in Lincolnshire, England. ... The Conservative Party (officially the Conservative and Unionist Party) is the second largest political party in the United Kingdom in terms of sitting Members of Parliament (MPs), the largest in terms of public membership, and the oldest political party in the United Kingdom. ... Gainsborough is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. ... The United Kingdom general election of 1992 was held on 9 April 1992. ... Lincoln is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. ... Liverpool Riverside is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. ... Newark is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. ... New Labour is an alternative name of the British political Labour Party. ... The term Old Labour is used in British politics to describe and differentiate the British Labour partys policies prior to the creation of the New Labour ethos under Tony Blair. ...

She was elected as Member of Parliament for Newark-on-Trent in the 1997 general election, ousting Conservative MP Richard Alexander, who had held the seat since the 1979 general election.^[2] She was pictured alongside 96 other women Labour MPs in the "Blair babes" photograph; she was the last to make her maiden speech, in January 1998,^[3] calling herself "the last virgin in the House".^[4][6] A Roman Catholic, Jones campaigned against abortion, and she appeared with Lord Longford at a Labour conference fringe meeting.^[4] Newark (also Newark-on-Trent) is a town in Nottinghamshire, located on the River Trent. ... The UK general election, 1997 was held on 1 May 1997. ... The Conservative Party (officially the Conservative and Unionist Party) is the second largest political party in the United Kingdom in terms of sitting Members of Parliament (MPs), the largest in terms of public membership, and the oldest political party in the United Kingdom. ... Richard Thain Alexander (born 29 June 1934) is a politician in the United Kingdom. ... The United Kingdom general election of 1979 was held on 3 May 1979 and is regarded as a pivotal point in 20th century British politics. ... The 101 female Members of Parliament elected in Labours landslide general election victory in 1997 were popularly known as Blair Babes (or Blairs Babes). ... The Roman Catholic Church, most often spoken of simply as the Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with over one billion members. ... Cover image: Peter Stanfords biography of Lord Longford, The Outcasts Outcast (2003) Francis Aungier Pakenham, 7th Earl of Longford, KG, PC (5 December 1905–3 August 2001) was a politician, author, and social reformer. ...

After complaints by the Liberal Democrats, the police launched an investigation into her spending at the 1997 election campaign. Although submitting election expenses within the permitted maximum, she was charged with her agent Des Whicher with having fraudulently omitted to declare spending which would have taken her well over it. Although most of the charges collapsed and were withdrawn by the trial Judge, a dispute over whether the rent for a campaign office used also as party headquarters was left to the Jury. The two were convicted on 19 March 1999 of "corrupt practices", contrary to section 82(6) of the Representation of the People Act 1983 ^[7] and she was sentenced to 100 hours' community service. ^[2][3] Gill Dawn, her defeated Old Labour rival for the nomination to contest the seat, had given evidence against her.^[5] As a result of the conviction, she was disqualified from the House of Commons. This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Campaign finance refers to the means by which money is raised for election campaigns. ... is the 78th day of the year (79th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... CORRUPT PRACTICES, a term used in English election law, as defined by the Corrupt and Illegal Practices Prevention Act 1883, to include bribery, treating, undue influence, personation, and aiding, abetting, counselling and procuring personation. ... The Representation of the People Act 1983 changed the British electoral process in the following ways: Amended the 1969 Representation of the People Act. ... Type Lower House Speaker of the House of Commons Leader of the House of Commons Michael Martin, (Non-affiliated) since October 23, 2000 Harriet Harman, QC, (Labour) since June 28, 2007 Shadow Leader of the House of Commons Theresa May, PC, (Conservative) since December 6, 2005 Members 646 Political groups...

However, the Court of Appeal quashed the convictions on 15 April 1999.^[8] The Divisional Court of the Queen's Bench Division held that the effect of the quashing of the conviction was that the disqualification was revoked with no need for a by-election, and she resumed her seat on 29 April.^[9] Court of Appeals is the title of certain appellate courts in various jurisdictions. ... is the 105th day of the year (106th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... Her Majestys High Court of Justice (known more simply as the High Court) is, together with the Crown Court and the Court of Appeal, part of the Supreme Court of Judicature in England and Wales: see Courts of England and Wales. ... One of the ancient courts of England, the Kings Bench (or Queens Bench when the monarch is female) is now a division of the High Court of Justice of England and Wales. ... A by-election or bye-election is a special election held to fill a political office when the incumbent has died or resigned. ... is the 119th day of the year (120th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

She contested her seat in the 2001 general election, but lost to the Conservative candidate Patrick Mercer. Tony Blair William Hague Charles Kennedy The UK general election, 2001 was held on 7 June 2001 and was dubbed the quiet landslide by the media. ... Patrick John Mercer MBE, OBE (born 26 June 1956) is a politician in the United Kingdom. ...

Later life

After studying law at Lincoln University, Jones brought a civil case against Nottinghamshire Police for malicious prosecution.^[7] The case was dismissed in December 2005, leaving her to bear costs of £45,000.^[2][3] In an interview, she claimed that a government minister had asked her for sex in return for assisting her to secure promotion.^[5] Lincoln University is the name of a university in New Zealand and several in the United States: Lincoln University (California) Lincoln University (Missouri) Lincoln University (New Zealand) Lincoln University (Pennsylvania) See also: University of Lincoln This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might... Nottinghamshire Police is the Home Office police force responsible for policing the shire county of Nottinghamshire and the unitary authority of Nottingham in the East Midlands of England. ... Malicious prosecution is a common law intentional tort. ...

Death

Jones became reliant on alcohol after she was shunned by her colleagues when she returned to the House of Commons in 1999^[3] - only 34 signed an early day motion welcoming her back to the House of Commons after her conviction was quashed.^[10] Her husband said that she refused to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in case she was recognised.^[5] She was found dead at her home in Saxilby by her husband, reportedly surrounded by 15 empty vodka bottles.^[3][5][11] Her cause of death was reported as alcoholism^[12] or alcoholic liver disease.^[2][3] Early day motion is a phrase used in the Westminster system for motions tabled by Members of Parliament for debate on an early day. In practice, they are never debated but are mostly used for MPs to publicise and express support for their own pet projects. ... Logo for AA Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is an informal society for recovering alcoholics. ... Saxilby is a large village in Lincolnshire, England, about eight miles north-west of Lincoln, on the A57 road. ... Alcoholism is the consumption of, or preoccupation with, alcoholic beverages to the extent that this behavior interferes with the drinkers normal personal, family, social, or work life, and may lead to physical or mental harm. ...

References

This article concerns the British newspaper. ... is the 39th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... The Times is a national newspaper published daily in the United Kingdom since 1788. ... is the 36th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... The Guardian is a British newspaper owned by the Guardian Media Group. ... is the 37th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... BBC News is the department within the BBC responsible for the corporations news-gathering and production of news programmes on BBC television, radio and online. ... is the 78th day of the year (79th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... The Guardian is a British newspaper owned by the Guardian Media Group. ... is the 37th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 22nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... BBC News is the department within the BBC responsible for the corporations news-gathering and production of news programmes on BBC television, radio and online. ... is the 33rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... The Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales is the second-highest judge of the Courts of England and Wales, after the Lord Chancellor, and the presiding judge of Criminal Division of the Court of Appeal, and of the Queens Bench Division of the High Court. ... is the 105th day of the year (106th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... Court of Appeals is the title of certain appellate courts in various jurisdictions. ... is the 112th day of the year (113th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... // The Free Access to Law Movement is the umbrella name for the collective of legal projects across several common law countries to provide free online access to legal information such as case law and legislation. ... BBC News is the department within the BBC responsible for the corporations news-gathering and production of news programmes on BBC television, radio and online. ... is the 119th day of the year (120th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... Her Majestys High Court of Justice (known more simply as the High Court) is, together with the Crown Court and the Court of Appeal, part of the Supreme Court of Judicature in England and Wales: see Courts of England and Wales. ... is the 120th day of the year (121st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... // The Free Access to Law Movement is the umbrella name for the collective of legal projects across several common law countries to provide free online access to legal information such as case law and legislation. ... This article concerns the British newspaper. ... is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... The Western Mail is a daily newspaper published by Western Mail and Echo Ltd in Cardiff, Wales. ... is the 36th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... BBC News is the department within the BBC responsible for the corporations news-gathering and production of news programmes on BBC television, radio and online. ... is the 36th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... Type Bicameral Houses House of Commons House of Lords Speaker of the House of Commons The Right Honourable Michael Martin MP Lord Speaker Hélène Hayman, Baroness Hayman, PC Members 1377 (646 Commons, 731 Peers) Political groups (as of May 5, 2005 elections) Labour Party Conservative Party Liberal Democrats... Richard Thain Alexander (born 29 June 1934) is a politician in the United Kingdom. ... A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters to a parliament. ... Newark is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. ... The UK general election, 1997 was held on 1 May 1997. ... Tony Blair William Hague Charles Kennedy The UK general election, 2001 was held on 7 June 2001 and was dubbed the quiet landslide by the media. ... Patrick John Mercer MBE, OBE (born 26 June 1956) is a politician in the United Kingdom. ...

External links

• The "Fiona Jones archive" in the Newark Advertiser.