Great Parliamentary Scandals: Four Centuries of Calumny, Smear and Innuendo - Hardcover

Parris, Matthew; Prosser, Lord David; Pierce, Andrew

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0860519570 ISBN 13: 9780860519577

Publisher: Robson Book Ltd, 1995

Synopsis

In this highly revealing, entertaining and salutary expedition into the moral swamps of British politics, award-winning columnist and broadcaster Matthew Parris presents the low side of high office.
From the Victorian Prime Minister who brought prostitutes into Downing Street to the MP caught red-checked in the House of Commons shower; from two leaders groped by one backbencher to shady share dealings in the newly invented wireless; from the sale of peerages for cash to love-sick House of Commons secretaries; from rent boys to Soviet spies; and from pistols at dawn on Putney Heath to three-in-a-bed romps with serving wenches all is revealed here.
Researching this book, Parris has been able to talk to many of those living politicians and former politicians who appear here, and while this all-too-readable history includes the scandals you would expect - starting with Elizabeth I's Francis Bacon, who went on to become the most corrupt Lord Chancellor ever, and ending with the scandal-rocked 1990s - there are also some surprising and little-known ones: the MPs who (until now) got away.

About this title

About the Author:

Kevin Maguire is chief reporter of the 'Guardian' and a former political editor of the 'Daily Mirror'. He is a regular on radio and TV, and is hated by politicians. Peter Mandelson once complained, 'Kevin Maguire only wants to cause trouble.' He lives in London. Matthew Parris was political sketchwriter for 'The Times' until autumn 2001, having qualified for the job after spending seven years as a Tory MP. He still writes for 'The Times' and is a regular broadcaster. He has written a number of books including his autobiography, 'Off-Message' (1 86105 479 3) and 'The Great Unfrocked' (1 86105 129 8). He lives in London, E14.

Review:

'A riotous read... some of the most flawed men are also some of the greatest.' 'The Times'

About this edition

• Publisher: Robson Book Ltd
• Publication date: 1995
• ISBN 10: 0860519570
• ISBN 13: 9780860519577
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 252