(8 Apr 1997) English/Nat
One of Britain's best known television reporters made a surprise move to the other side of the T-V cameras on Monday when he announced his decision to stand as an "anti-sleaze" candidate in Britain's general election.
Veteran B-B-C war correspondent Martin Bell has become an independent candidate with backing from Britain's two main opposition parties - Labour and the Liberal Democrats.
He plans to battle it out with a former Conservative government minister accused of taking cash for asking questions in parliament on behalf of businessmen.
War correspondent Martin Bell seemed overawed by the level of attention as the world's media descended on him at a press conference in central London on Monday.
Bell faced the other side of the cameras to explain why he had decided to stand as the Independent Anti-Corruption candidate for the seat in Tatton in Cheshire in the north west of England.
The seat was held by the Conservative party politician Neil Hamilton.
Hamilton is currently at the centre of cash-for-questions row. The former Government minister is accused of taking cash for asking questions in parliament on behalf of several businessmen.
Bell will challenge Hamilton in the absence of Labour and Liberal Democrat candidates, who won't be contesting the seat unless the beleaguered Conservative steps down.
SOUNDBITE:
"I do not become a candidate unless Mr Hamilton withdraws in one way or another tomorrow night, and unless both the Liberal Democrats and the Labour Parties at meetings of all their members endorse the decision of their candidates to stand down. My belief is that I'm the shortest lived political candidate with the shortest lived political career that you will ever see."
SUPER CAPTION: Martin Bell
Bell was put forward as the anti-sleaze candidate on the recommendation of a friend.
The veteran reporter told journalists that people working in the media had a responsibility to the public.
Although he said his new challenge was far more frightening than anything he had encountered in a war zone.
SOUNDBITE:
"I would much run the trench lines of Dobrinja or tackle Snipers Alley in my armoured vehicle Miss Piggy than be going through this, I really would. This is one of the scariest things that ever happened to me and I wouldn't be doing this unless I really believed that people wanted me to do it."
SUPER CAPTION: Martin Bell
Bell has worked in television news for more than 35 years and has reported from more than 50 countries, many of them war zones.
He became a household name when he was hit by a piece of shrapnel in front of his own cameras in Bosnia.
Last year, he clashed with his bosses when he called on the B-B-C to abandon neutrality in reporting war and genocide.
Bell's surprise move is seen as a serious set back for the ruling Conservatives who are fighting an increasingly difficult battle to retain power after 18 years in office.
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