Express & Star

Michael Fabricant: I've done nothing wrong

Outspoken Conservative MP Michael Fabricant today insisted: "I have done nothing wrong" in his first interview since being sacked as a party vice-chairman.

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The MP for Lichfield was sacked after refusing to resign from his post for praising the resignation of Culture Secretary Maria Miller and for opposing the controversial HS2 rail project.

The £50 billion rail scheme will cut through Staffordshire and Mr Fabricant had been campaigning for a re-think on the route. When the Government refused, he said he would vote against the legislation to create the line between London and Birmingham later this month.

But the final straw that resulted in his sacking came yesterday morning as Mrs Miller resigned following public condemnation of her expenses claims and her 32-second apology - with Mr Fabricant writing on Twitter: "well, about time."

The 63-year-old broke news of his sacking via Twitter and received a torrent of praise and support.

He refused to do TV and radio interviews but speaking exclusively to the Express & Star today said he was still loyal to the Conservative party and to David Cameron.

Referring to his sacking as 'amicable', he said: "I was asked if I would resign but I do not feel I have done anything wrong.

"If I had resigned it would have suggested otherwise.

"I shall remain a Conservative MP and hope that my association will re-select me as its candidate for the General Election next year.

"I agree with most of my party's policies but I'm not a slavish follower of all of them.

"In particular HS2 will have a very serious effect on Lichfield.

"I am not optimistic that we will defeat the legislation if Labour supports it and maybe, and I am speculating, Number 10 thought it might be embarrassing for a Conservative vice-chairman to vote against a flagship policy.

"And the straw that broke the camel's back may have been the Maria Miller issue which was a sensitive subject for Number 10."

A Conservative Party source confirmed the situation and said it had been 'building for some time'.

"It was amicable. Mr Fabricant is still a Conservative MP and has a lot of respect and admiration in the party.

"He has tabled an amendment to alter the HS2 and that is not compatible with the position as a spokesman for the party."

Following the announcement Mr Fabricant changed the biography on his profile to read: "My views are strictly my own, not always the Government's".

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