Mawhinney's defective ploy
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The story of the "defector who wasn't" should have been good news for Brian Mawhinney yesterday. Instead, the Tory chairman found himself fleeing into the conference centre pursued by journalists.
When his recruit admitted at a seaside news conference that he had never been a Labour member, Dr Mawhinney cut questions short and fled to the hall with his charge. Marco Forgione, 26, a caterer from Yeovil, once worked for the Labour MP Keith Vaz but a Tory news release saying he had once "joined the socialists" turned out to be misleading.
Asked if he had ever been a Labour member, Mr Forgione said he was "a firm supporter" before admitting he had never held a party card. Later, he said he once voted Labour in a local election and had "abstained" in the 1992 election.
He had been a "parliamentary assistant, adviser and speechwriter" to Mr Vaz, a spokesman on environment issues. Mr Vaz issued a statement saying: " ... While he briefly worked with me in 1993-94 he showed no interest in politics. He was never involved in any party political issues."
Mr Forgione said he had "very much enjoyed working" for Mr Vaz but did not like Labour's "whole ethos". Prompted by a Tory press officer, he singled out the European Social Chapter and national minimum wage.
The story later took a new twist as it emerged Mr Forgione's non-defection had occurred some time ago. Yeovil Liberal Democrats said he had been an active Tory locally for about two years. "He is a frequent correspondent in the local paper in support of the Conservative cause, often writing from the local Tory HQ," said a Liberal Democrat spokesman. Mr Forgione said he joined the party last year.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments