Lib Dem whip quits in anger at ‘nepotism’ of MEP’s husband taking seat

Lib Dem Chris Davies launched an extraordinary attack on both Diana Wallis, the Hull-based MEP who announced last week she was quitting her Brussels job, and her husband, Stewart Arnold, who is expected to succeed her in the coming days.

Ms Wallis has represented Yorkshire for the Lib Dems in Europe since 1999, but announced last week she was resigning her seat mid-way through her third term, after failing in a bid to become President of the EU Parliament.

Due to the proportional representation system used in Brussels, Ms Wallis will automatically be succeeded by her party’s next choice on its Yorkshire candidate list from the last Euro elections – in this case her own husband and special advisor, Mr Arnold.

Opposition MPs and MEPs have said the move is undemocratic.

Now her own Lib Dem colleague and party whip, Mr Davies, who represents the North West, said he too believes senior party officials should have stepped in.

“The arrangements being made by the wife and husband smell to me of nepotism,” Mr Davies said

“It’s a case of revolving political doors, and I don’t feel comfortable with it.

“As a whip, I should not be partisan. But I cannot imagine being anything other than prejudiced against Stewart Arnold.”

A party spokesman said in a statement that Ms Wallis was quitting to pursue other challenges, while Mr Arnold had not yet decided whether to succeed her.

“As stipulated by election law, the second person on the party list takes the post,” the Lib Dem spokesman said. “Stewart Arnold stood against Diana in the regional party election.

“He was democratically selected as second on the list, and is now taking time to hold discussions with regional members before deciding whether to take the post.”