AddThis SmartLayers

Local weekly wins first interview with disgraced Lib Dem MP

The Hampshire Chronicle has won the first interview with Liberal Democrat MP Mark Oaten following revelations that he had paid for the services of a male prostitute over a six-month period.

The MP seems to have been in hiding, with the Chronicle reporting that his office was closed for business and no trace of him at his family home.

But the weekly paper, which is based in Oaten’s constituency of Winchester, scooped the nationals after “inspiring” the MP to talk with an editorial column which challenged him to face his constituents.

Chief reporter Warwick Payne and photographer Terry Bond travelled to his Westiminster office where Oaten spoke of his need to spend more time with his family and concentate on his constituency work.

The interview made the front page with a more in-depth question-and-answer session on page three.

Chronicle editor Keith Redbourn said: “We’ve always had a good working relationship with Mark, and we were determined to provide a fair and balanced viewpoint of the accusations.

“In my editorial the previous week, the Chronicle challenged him to face his constituents, and talk to his local paper.

“During the interview, he mentioned that he had been inspired to talk because of what we had said.”

Today’s publication of the story has also sparked a media frenzy, with the newsroom fielding calls from TV, radio and other newspapers since early this morning.

It has been featured on Radio Two, Radio Four and Five Live and Keith has also been interviewed by Meridian TV and BBC local radio.

During the Chronicle’s interview Oaten, who stood down as Home Affairs spokesman and pulled out of the Lib Dem leadership race following revelations in the News of the World, also apologised for making mistakes.

Keith said: “This was a classic example of a respected local paper scooping the nationals and broadcast media because of our community roots.

“Some other local media have been quite brutal but we tried to be as balanced a possible.

“Everyone on the team is to be congratulated for giving us the biggest exclusive we’ve had for many a long day.”