Davis faces serious challenger

Published on Friday 27 June 2008 00:09

DAVID Davis, who dramatically quit David Cameron's shadow cabinet to fight a by-election championing civil liberties, is set to face a serious challenger for his seat.

An anti-rape campaigner will attempt to try and unseat him in the battle on 10 July, and has criticised his opposition to a DNA database.

Mr Davis, the former shadow home secretary stunned Westminster when earlier this month he announced he was quitting as an MP, in protest at the government's push to detain terror suspects for up to 42 days.

The one-time SAS reservist holds his Haltemprice and Howden seat with a majority of 22,792 and because Labour and the Liberal Democrats have both refused to stand candidates against him, it was assumed that Mr Davis would not face any serious challengers.

But Jill Saward yesterday came forward as a prominent candidate. Ms Saward has been campaigning on behalf of rape victims since she was raped 22 years ago.

She opposes Mr Davis' stance on CCTV and DNA. "He is attempting to strike a hammer blow through the very tools the police need to keep us safe," she said. "David Davis says that he wants freedom. But what about freedom for victims?"

Ms Saward is one of 24 candidates in the by-election for the East Yorkshire seat.

Others include Leeds ex-crown prosecutor Christopher Foren, who is launching a party called Work for Progress. Northampton market trader Eamon Fitzpatrick, is standing, as is Miss Great Britain Gemma Garrett. Political writer Neil Glass and anti-smoking ban campaigner Hamish Howitt are also standing.