When did Rosindell first become aware of anti-migrant leaflet? – new evidence emerges
Posted on March 8th, 2010 by Jeremy Cliffe
“I will cut immigration, and we’ve set out reasonably, sensibly, calmly, how that should be done” – David Cameron, 28th February 2010
Andrew Rosindell, Conservative MP for Romford, has denied writing or approving a vitriolic and alarmist anti-immigrant leaflet recently distributed by the party in his constituency. When Left Foot Forward contacted Rosindell’s office to ask about Conservative council candidate Osman Dervish, who is believed to have produced the leaflet, it was told that “Osman Dervish is not a paid member of Andrew Rosindell M.P.’s staff in either Parliament or the constituency.” Today, however, extensive evidence has emerged indicating that Dervish does in fact work for Rosindell.
Dervish has a Parliamentary email address (dervisho@parliament.uk) and is listed in the latest edition of the Register of Interests (last revised on 17th February 2010) as working for the “Office of Andrew Rosindell MP”. He lists nothing under “other relevant gainful occupation or benefit”. In the past, Rosindell has even referred to Dervish in Parliament, thanking him for his work on a local issue as “campaign co-ordinator”.
On Rosindell’s 2008 expenses, published under the Conservatives’ right-to-know initiative, Dervish is named as a member of his staff:
On his Facebook profile, Dervish lists his “Employer” as “UK Parliament” and “House of Commons” and his “Position” as “Political Officer and Head of M.P.’s Action Team to Andrew Rosindell M.P.”:
Rosindell has admitted that he was in the area when the leaflet was delivered but has denied having seen members of his team pushing it through letterboxes. The leaflets featured two pictures of Rosindell, assured voters that “Andrew Rosindell believe[s] that it’s time to say enough is enough” and carried the statement “promoted by Andrew Rosindell MP”. Furthermore, as James Maker notes, “on the very week that this leaflet was making its way into homes across the consistency, during PMQs on February 10th 2010, Rosindell rose to ask the Prime Minister “will the government consider introducing a cap on immigration?”” Rosindell has a track record of outspoken views on asylum and immigration.
Two key questions remain unanswered: was this inflammatory leaflet produced by a member of Rosindell’s office? At what point did Rosindell become aware of the leaflet?
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Meanwhile, in nearby Thurrock, former Conservative councillor Terry Hipsey has still received no reply from CCHQ to his allegation that local Tories discussed a loose electoral pact with the BNP.
