Constituency supporters back Peter Hain after resignation

Jan 25 2008 Western Mail

Peter Hain’s supporters in his South Wales constituency were standing by their MP after his resignation.

Mr Hain has a majority of more than 12,000 in Neath, which he has held since a by-election in 1991.

His former agent Howard Davies spoke to a “totally devastated” Mr Hain this morning.

“The police have got every right to carry out an investigation, but what’s the conclusion of that investigation going to be? In my opinion it will clear Peter Hain,” he told the BBC.

“He is totally devastated by the situation, but he has made his decision.

“The local party will be behind him without any shadow of a doubt.” Neath’s Labour Welsh Assembly member Gwenda Thomas said, “I’m hugely saddened by the news, as I know the people of Neath will be.

“He is an incredibly hard-working MP and worked tirelessly for the Government in areas like Wales, Northern Ireland and the DWP.”

But shoppers in the small town’s market had a more mixed reaction to Mr Hain’s departure from the Cabinet.

Patricia Thomas, 67, said, “It’s very sad really.

“He can’t keep two jobs going and be an MP and keep his eye on what’s going on.

“He has probably done the right thing by resigning if the police are involved.”

David Court, 49, said, “He was not going to resign first of all. All of a sudden the police are involved he has resigned.

“I didn’t think much of him when he started off, but he seemed to do more for around here when he got higher up.”

Allison Bevan, 41, said, “I don’t think he was doing a great deal for this part of Wales.

“I think he has made a bit of a cock-up. I feel sorry for his family.”

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Constituency supporters back Peter Hain after resignation
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