MPs forced to shut down their Web sites

But sadly they'll be back up and running in eight days

By Kieren McCarthy • Get more from this author

Posted in Business, 30th May 2001 11:10 GMT

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Updated Several MPs, including Mad Annie Widdecombe and Gavin Strang, have had to shut down their Web sites for breaking electoral rules.

It stems from their sites' URLs. Each ends with the suffix "MP". But, seeing as Parliament has been dissolved, that is not true. And they won't be MPs until they are re-elected.

Hence, visit Annewiddecombemp.com or Gavinstrangmp.com and you'll find... nothing. They were originally warned a few days ago and replaced their pages with a simple picture and message. Today, however, they have simply been pulled off the Net.

The sad thing is that the sites will probably pop up again in eight days when they get enough votes to annoy us for another four years. Oh well, enjoy it while you can.

Update

Actually, Gavin Strang's Web site is a co.uk and not a .com as we said above (the .com's still available). He has got a message on it explaining why he can't run the site and a redirect to another site.

However, perhaps someone should inform the Conservative MP for South East Cambridgeshire, James Paice. Jim still has his Web site up and running and as such is breaking the electoral rules. Tut tut.

If you find anymore, please email them over and we'll compile a list of shame. ®

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