Nadine pulls out of hustings event

The Mid Beds parliamentary candidate says she cannot be in the same room as the man who she claims has followed her for seven years and caused her to be unable to sleep and suffer panic attacks.

The Tory candidate, who says she has found strength through the support of national stalker advocacy service Paladin, said: “He has been a menace to so many people.

“I no longer don’t sleep but I wouldn’t put myself in his presence.

“He has done it for no reason other than to say to me, I can still get you.”

The former I’m A Celebrity contestant said she requested that the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, be banned from tonight’s (Thursday) political debate but was refused.

Mrs Dorries said: “It means I can’t attend the hustings in my own constituency. Lots of people will be attending that hustings because they think I’m going to be there.”

Rev Steve Summerfield, chairman of the event organisers, Churches Together in Shefford, said: “Churches Together in Shefford, as the organising group for this hustings event, which is being held in a publicly accessible building, is required to be running a non-selective hustings.

“It is with regret that we note that Nadine has declined this invitation.”

He said the event is being organised in line with guidelines issued by the Electoral Commission.

Mrs Dorries has made claims in the past that the man she calls a ‘stalker’ has gone through her bins, followed her on walks and hacked her computer.

Beds Police carried out an investigation last year into Mrs Dorries’ claims but the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to press charges.

The hustings event for parliamentary candidates standing in the Mid Beds constituency is due to be held at St Michael and All Angels Church in Shefford. Doors open at 6.30pm and the debate begins at 7.30pm.

Along with Mrs Dorries, the following candidates have been invited; Gareth Ellis for the Green Party, Liberal Democrat Linda Jack, Independent Tim Ireland, Labour’s Charlynne Pullen, Nigel Wickens for UKIP and Ann Kelly from the Official Monster Raving Loony Party.