COMMENT: Whatever happened to Neil Hamilton?

Who can forget Neil and Christine Hamilton being handed their "appearance fee" on the BBC's Have I Got News For You?

Hamilton has always denied the accusation that he accepted cash, handed over in brown paper envelopes, to ask questions in the House of Commons when he was an MP as was claimed by The Guardian newspaper. When the scandal erupted, further shaking John Major's government, Hamilton stood down as a minister but continued to take sit in parliament and take his salary for 3 years until he lost his seat at the 1997 election.



There followed a series of highly embarrassing, and, at times, tasteless, publicity stunts and endless appearances of Neil and Christine on quiz shows, chat shows, cooking shows... they were even the subject of a Louis Theroux documentary. Christine, increasingly, came over as loud and dominant and Neil, to an extent, gained some sympathy.



So where's he been?

He was always been at the right wing of Tory thought so, perhaps, it was no surprise when he turned up earlier this year as a new member of UKIP, the friendly face of extremists and racists.

He's hinted, rather unsubtly, that he might consider standing in the 2014 elections for the European Parliament.

Now, he's been elected to UKIP's NEC, in fact he topped the poll - there main policy making body. I'm an atheist but Heaven help us.

A discredited extremist wants to devise policies for a racist party and represent the UK in Europe. Given that scenario maybe there'll be no need for a Euro referendum... the EU would be justified throwing us out!

He says he's "back in politics" and wants to "fight for the UK to leave the European Union" - he'll be there standing beside that loon, Farage, making the UK look idiotic.

Apparently he wants to bring back "self-respect to Britain" - this from a man who, for over a decade, has shown little in the way of personal self-respect.

Nigel Farage, UKIP's leader, says he's "very pleased" with Neil Hamilton's growing role within the party. I think Farage should watch his back. Hamilton could well have his sights on the party leadership and, if a recent opinion poll is to be believed and UKIP have 7% of the vote, he could become an influential figure in British politics.

I always thought that having to resign because of corruption allegations would result in the end of your political aspirations. It seems Neil Hamilton is the floater who just won't flush and he's found a new audience for his extremist opinions.