Biography

Journalist and author, MP for Sunderland South since 1987.

Married:
Nguyen Thi Ngoc with two daughters.
Born:
Chelmsford, Essex. December 12th 1947.

Education:
St Philip's Priory, Chelmsford.
St Joseph 's College, Birkfield, Ipswich.
University of Hull (Law).

Author of the novels:
"A Very British Coup" (1982).
"The Last Man Out of Saigon" (1986).
"The Year of the Fire Monkey" (1991).

Copies of "A Very British Coup", the book and the video, are available from Politicos bookshop. (www.politicos.co.uk) Ring 0191 567 2848 for details of how to obtain other books.

Non fiction:
"Error of judgement – The Truth about the Birmingham Bombings".

Editor:
"Arguments for Socialism" (1979).
"Arguments for Democracy" (1981) by Tony Benn.

Pamphlets:
"The Tibetans" (Minority Rights Group,1981).
"How to Select or Reselect your MP" (Campaign for Labour Party Democracy, 1981).

Editor:
Tribune 1982-84.

Committees:
Member of the Home Affairs Select Committee 1992-99 and 2001;
Chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee 1997-99 and 2001-2003
Member Standard and Privileges Committee 2006 -

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State:
Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions, 1999-2001.
Department for International Development, February to June 2001.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office, June 2003 - May 2005

Member of:
Executive Committee of the Parliamentary Labour Party, 1997-99 and 2001- Vice Chairman 1998-99.

Political interests include:
Justice, democracy, farm animal welfare and sustainable living.

Personal interests:
Walking, writing, gardens (other people's mostly).

For a recent profile see House Magazine, January 24th, 2005