Ian Gibson (politician)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Dr Ian Gibson
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Member of Parliament
for Norwich North |
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| In office 1 May 1997 – 8 June 2009 |
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| Preceded by | Patrick Thompson |
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| Succeeded by | TBD |
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| Born | 26 September 1938 Dumfries, Scotland |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Political party | Labour |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Frances Lubbock |
Ian Gibson (born 26 September 1938) is a British politician who served as the Labour Member of Parliament for Norwich North and currently holds the office of Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Chiltern Hundreds. On 5 June 2009 he announced that he would stand down with immediate effect, triggering a by-election.[1]
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[edit] Biography
[edit] Early life and academic career
Ian Gibson was born in Dumfries, Scotland and was educated locally at the Dumfries Academy, before attending the University of Edinburgh where he was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Genetics and became a Doctor of Philosophy. He continued his studies in the United States of America at both Indiana University and the University of Washington. He worked continuously for the University of East Anglia from 1965 until his election to Westminster thirty two years later. He initially worked as a scientist until 1971, before becoming a senior biology lecturer until becoming the Dean of Biology in 1991. He became an honorary professor in 2003.
[edit] Parliamentary career
He was a member of the executive of the Manufacturing, Science and Finance trade union for twenty four years from 1972, and joined the Labour Party as late as 1983 after seven years in the Socialist Workers Party. He unsuccessfully contested Norwich North at the 1992 General Election where he was defeated by the sitting Conservative MP Patrick Thompson by just 266 votes. He was elected to the House of Commons at the 1997 General Election, Thompson had retired and Gibson beat the new Tory candidate by 9,470, and remains the MP there. He made his maiden speech on 17 June 1997.[2] He is the coach of the cross-party parliamentary football team.
He is currently a member of the Select Committee on Innovation Universities Science and skills. He was a member of the science and technology select committee since his election in 1997 and served as its chairman between 2001-5. He is chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer. Whilst he was the dean of biology at the University of East Anglia he was the head of a research team investigating cancer, and has been awarded a 'Champion' award by Macmillan Cancer Relief for his work in support of people with cancer. He was a major campaigner against top-up fees for universities. He suffered a minor stroke on a visit to Ramallah, West Bank in September 2004.
He attracted controversy in August 2006 after claiming inbreeding in his constituency may have played a part in its rising number of diabetes cases. However, he did later apologise for these remarks, stating he did not mean to cause offence. [3]
[edit] Expenses controversy
In May 2009, Gibson became embroiled in the MPs' expenses scandal serialised in the Daily Telegraph, who reported that he claimed for a flat in which his daughter lived rent-free before selling it to her for half its market value.[4] Subsequently, he was barred from standing in the next general election by a disciplinary panel of the Labour Party.[5]
Believing that after the panel's decision his position was "untenable", he was appointed to the office of Crown Steward and Bailiff of the three Chiltern Hundreds of Stoke, Desborough and Burnham which had the effect of causing his resignation, thereby forcing a by-election.[1]
[edit] Personal life
He has been married to Elizabeth Frances Lubbock since March 1974 and they have two daughters. He is a supporter of Norwich City F.C.
[edit] Publications
- Anti-Sense Technology by Ian Gibson, 1997
- Too Little Too Late?: Government Investment in Nanotechnology by Ian Gibson, 2004, The Stationery Office Books ISBN 0-215-01644-0
- Within Reach the EUs New Chemical Strategy by Ian Gibson, The Stationery Office Books ISBN 0-215-01706-4
- Advanced Manufacturing Technology for Medical Applications by Ian Gibson, 2005, John Wiley & Sons Ltd ISBN 0-470-01688-4
[edit] References
- ^ a b "MP quitting to force by-election". BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8085910.stm.
- ^ House of Commons Hansard Debates for 17 Jun 1997 (pt 23)
- ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4781693.stm MP sorry for 'inbreeding' remarks - BBC News
- ^ Kirkup, James (2009-06-02). "Ian Gibson deselected by Labour - MPs' expenses". Daily Telegraph website. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5431329/Ian-Gibson-deselected-by-Labour---MPs-expenses.html. Retrieved on 2009-06-02.
- ^ "Gibson barred from standing again". BBC News website. 2009-06-02. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8080154.stm. Retrieved on 2009-06-02.
[edit] External links
- Ian Gibson MP official site
- Ian Gibson's profile, from The Guardian’s "Ask Aristotle"
- Ian Gibson on TheyWorkForYou.com
- Ian Gibson's voting record on Public Whip
- Ian Gibson's profile from BBC News Online; 10 February 2005
- Ian Gibson presents the 2006 Owers Lecture 15 June 2006
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
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| Preceded by Patrick Thompson |
Member of Parliament for Norwich North 1997–2009 |
Succeeded by vacant |
