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Alan Beith | The Guardian

October 2014

Probation inspector at centre of row over wife’s job at outsourcing firm
Paul McDowell’s wife is the deputy managing director of a private justice company that runs some UK probation services

Four Lib Dem MPs ordered to repay money earned from second homes
Inquiry rules John Barrett, Sandra Gidley, Paul Holmes and Richard Younger-Ross showed 'serious misjudgment'

John Bercow wins race to be new Commons Speaker
• Sir George Young beaten in third round
• Ann Widdecombe was knocked out in second
Speaker candidates face expenses scrutiny
Margaret Beckett claimed almost £11,000 for garden and John Bercow twice claimed for tax return accountant, Telegraph says
MPs' expenses: What the contenders for Commons Speaker have claimed
Details of expenses claims for the 11 candidates for the Speakership, and some of their responses

'It's not a criminal offence - and that should change'
Chairman of the Commons justice committee Alan Beith MP calls for tougher laws on data security in the aftermath of the child benefit fiasco

Andrew Roth's parliament profiles
Alan Beith
My most vivid memory of Alan Beith, the cuddly, waddling Liberal Democrat MP is of meeting him on Victoria street in Westminster, London, sporting a broad-brimmed black fedora worthy of a Mafia don. It was during his 1988 campaign against Paddy Ashdown for the party leadership. But the black fedora was not enough to overcome his often noted 'charisma bypass'. He lost, and became a loyal deputy to Mr Ashdown and later Charles Kennedy.

Beith flies home after 'crushing blow' of son's death
The Liberal Democrat deputy leader, Alan Beith, last night described as a "crushing blow" the sudden death of his son, Christopher, 23.