SOS Democracy is committed to the protection of national sovereignty and national democracy within a Europe of nation states,” he said.Keith Vaz, the Minister for Europe, leapt on the revelations as a sign of the Tories’ extremism. More worryingly, they risk appearing unwittingly to be parroting Downing Street propaganda,” Sir Archie said.However, the party’s fightback continued to be overshadowed by the decision of six Tory MEPs to join with United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) MEPs to set up a group called SOS Democracy, as revealed by The Independent.Richard Corbett, a Labour MEP who has attended SOS Democracy meetings, said that unlike most “intergroups” in the Strasbourg Parliament, it will have a regular staff and a common voting system.”Usually intergroups are loosely based, informal discussion forums. It is as if we have learnt nothing from the last 10 years,” Sir Norman said.Sir Archie Hamilton, the chairman of the Tory’s backbench 1922 committee, also launched a defence, accusing Mr Hague’s critics of trying to “render the party as unelectable today as it was in 1997″.”Those who criticise Mr Hague for extremism look dated and foolish. Not because of a policy drift to the right but because of an internal running political commentary which is drowning out our message. But I will not be making a decision for another year.”Mr Bell, 61, added that the decision would depend on circumstances such as his health.

He also made clear that he would refuse to take any party whip. “The constituencies in question are keeping me informed of what’s going on. There would have to be cross-party support because I would only ever stand as an independent candidate.”Mr Bell, celebrated for dressing in white, has proved very popular with Tatton voters and has described being an MP as “the best job in the world”.. Senior Tories rallied to the defence of William Hague yesterday, warning that further divisions within the party would amount to “political suicide”. Senior Tories rallied to the defence of William Hague yesterday, warning that further divisions within the party would amount to “political suicide”.
Sir Norman Fowler, the former party chairman, said the embattled Tory leader deserved “more support” because his message was being drowned by an “internal running political commentary”.His plea for unity comes after weeks of outspoken attacks by Tory grandees such as John Major, Kenneth Clarke and Lord Howe of Aberavon, the former Foreign Secretary.”At times one feels that we are intent on committing political suicide.

Mr Bell won the seat with a majority of more than 11,000 and his victory became one of the most memorable moments of the election night.”I have had two serious offers from two constituencies in England and I am not ruling out the option of standing again. Martin Bell, the Independent MP for Tatton, revealed yesterday that he may stand again at the next general election after two serious approaches from other English constituencies. Martin Bell, the Independent MP for Tatton, revealed yesterday that he may stand again at the next general election after two serious approaches from other English constituencies.
Mr Bell, 61, said he had “not ruled out” the options despite earlier pledges that he would stay in the Commons for one term only.The former BBC foreign correspondent decided to stand on an all-party anti-sleaze ticket at the last general election against Neil Hamilton, then the Conservative incumbent. A monitoring box attached to his telephone line will trigger an alarm at a control centre if he breaks the curfew.Aitken was moved to Elmley from Standford Hill open prison, also on the Isle of Sheppey, a week ago after prison officers uncovered a plot to drug him and photograph him naked with another inmate and sell the pictures to a tabloid..

He will have to obey a curfew which the Prison Service said would probably run from 7pm to 7am. The second half of his sentence has been waived for good behaviour.The tag will be attached to his ankle or wrist when he gets home by employees of Premier Monitoring Services. When he arrives home, the former MP will be tagged electronically for two months under the home curfew scheme. Former Cabinet minister Jonathan Aitken was released from prison after serving seven months of his 18-month sentence for perjury and perverting the course of justice.
Aitken, 57, who was once one of the most powerful men in Britain as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, was carrying his belongings in a black plastic bag as he emerged from Elmley prison on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, shortly after 8am.Wearing a dark blue sweatshirt and jeans, Aitken, who will have to wear an electronic tag on his ankle for two months, shook hands with the driver of a waiting grey Renault saloon before climbing in and being driven away.Aitken left Standford Hill prison, on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent. “The downside was that passengers were not satisfied on value for money and those that did complain were not happy with the way their complaints were handled.”Clearly, capacity is an issue in London and south-east England.