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Witnesses speak for defendants

By LUCY MILLARD - 19-03-1999

Character witnesses were called on Tuesday morning and spoke of the integrity and honesty of Mrs Fiona Jones and Mr Des Whicher. 

Mr Ian Atkinson, a member of Newark Constituency Labour Party, said he had met her in 1995 when she was selected as the prospective candidate.

He said he found her very reassuring as an MP and represented the area with genuine concern and understanding.

"On a personal basis she is very reliable, very honest and very friendly, and easy to deal with," he said.

Mr Peter Kilfoyle, MP for Liverpool Walton, said he had visited the Newark constituency in 1997 as opposition spokesman and had been struck by Mrs Jones' well-organised campaigning.

"I am convinced of her reliability and honesty and I can not envisage her being party to anything improper," he said.

Mrs Vivienne Wilson of Barnbygate, Newark, said she had known Mr Whicher for 12 years, since he called at her home campaigning for a district council election.

She said since then he had made a real difference to the area and had worked hard.

"He is a man to be trusted. He is a man who would stand by his word, a man who would not involve himself in anything disgraceful," said Mrs Wilson.

Mr Eric Bust, an independent member of Newark and Sherwood District Council said while he was not of the same political persuasion as Mr Whicher he respected his reasoned arguments at meetings and said there was a mutual respect between them.

He said he could not believe Mr Whicher could be involved in a deliberate fraud.

 

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