Bob Spink
Robert Michael Spink (born 1 August 1948, in Haworth, Worth Valley, Yorkshire) is a former member of parliament (MP) for Castle Point in Essex (1992 to 1997, and 2001 to 2010) who was convicted of electoral fraud in 2017.
Bob Spink | |
|---|---|
| Member of Parliament for Castle Point | |
| In office 7 June 2001 – 12 April 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Christine Butler |
| Succeeded by | Rebecca Harris |
| In office 9 April 1992 – 8 April 1997 | |
| Preceded by | Sir Bernard Braine |
| Succeeded by | Christine Butler |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 August 1948 Haworth, West Riding of Yorkshire, England |
| Other political affiliations | Conservative (until 2008) UKIP (2008, 2014-) |
| Spouse | Janet Barham (divorced) |
| Alma mater | University of Manchester, Cranfield University |
| Profession | Member of Parliament |
| Website | Bob Spink MP |
Spink was elected as the Conservative Party MP for Castle Point in 1992, lost his seat in 1997, but regained it in 2001. Having resigned the Conservative whip in March 2008, in April 2008 he defected to the UK Independence Party (UKIP), becoming that party's first MP. In November 2008, he became an independent. Standing as an independent, he lost his seat in the 2010 election to the Conservative candidate, Rebecca Harris.
Spink subsequently rejoined UKIP. In 2017, he was convicted on four counts of electoral fraud, and was given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, in January 2018.