Letter: What Has My Russian Marriage To Do With Wisley?

Published on: 25 Jan, 2019
Updated on: 25 Jan, 2019

Sir Paul Beresford MP and Cllr Paul Spooner

From Paul Spooner

Conservative leader of Guildford Borough Council

In response to: Comments from David Roberts and Jim Allen on Clarity Call in Russian Row Over Wisley as MP Sir Paul Offers to Withdraw Claim

I find Mr Robert’s continuing efforts to undermine my reputation rather unsavoury. I do not see why a 25-year marriage to someone I met in Moscow, when I lived in Russia in the early 90s, has any bearing on Wisley in 2019.

I have travelled on business to more than 80 countries and since becoming leader at GBC I have visited countries including USA, China, Singapore, Barbados (attending a wedding) and several countries in EU, as well as a total of four days in Russia. I have also been to Dubai, UAE every January for Arab Health and will be off there again on Saturday.

For GBC I have travelled to Germany (Freiburg) twice and once to China.

During my most recent visit to Freiburg for its International Sisters Conference there were delegations from all over the world, but none from Russia. I trust Mr Roberts is now satisfied.

Also, perhaps Jim Allen, further to his comment, could define “foreign” as my British citizen wife has lived in Guildford Borough for 25+ years and is probably more Guildfordian than many.

The issue here is simple. Did Sir Paul use Parliamentary privilege to deliberately try to seriously damage my reputation? I assert he did and unless he comes up with real evidence PDQ then there can be no other conclusion.