But the party has not yet taken disciplinary action against Fiona Jones, Des Whicher or Denis Thompson.

ECONOMIST: The Newark scandal

"It was a totally expressionless, blank stare, " said Larry Whicher, one of the victims, whose brother, Alan, 40, an agent with the U.S. Secret Service.

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After all, Mr MacLeod had also stood as an independent Conservative against Ms Jones's election agent, Des Whicher who was also convicted last week at the county council elections held on the same day as the 1997 general election.

ECONOMIST: The Newark scandal