Den Dover

Densmore Ronald Dover
Member of the European Parliament for North West England
In office 1999–2009
Member of the UK Parliament for Chorley
In office 1979–1997
Personal details
Born	(1938-04-04) 4 April 1938 Stockton Heath, Cheshire
Nationality	British
Political party	Conservative (expelled)
Alma mater	Manchester University
Profession	Civil Engineer
Website	http://www.dendovermep.co.uk

Densmore Ronald Dover, known as Den Dover, (born 4 April 1938 in Stockton Heath, Cheshire) is a British politician. He was a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the North West England region from 1999 to 2009.

Elected as a Conservative, he was forced to resign the position of Chief Whip, before being expelled from the party over investigation into his expenses. Dover stood down from the European Parliament at the 2009 European Elections.

Biography

Dover was born in Stockton Heath, Cheshire. Educated at King George V School, Southport until transferring to Manchester Grammar School where he won the bowling prize at cricket. Dover gained a First Class Honours degree in Civil Engineering at Manchester University.

Career

Dover worked in the construction industry across Europe, working for John Laing plc, George Wimpey, and as Chief Executive for the National Building Agency. Dover was latterly Director of Housing Construction with the Greater London Council, before entering politics on a full-time basis when he became an MP.

Personal life

Dover is married to Kathleen, with a son and a daughter, Amanda. He plays cricket, golf and hockey.

Political career

Dover served on the London Borough of Barnet Council, and was a Member of its Education, Finance and Public Works Committees.

MP for Chorley

Dover served as the Conservative Member of Parliament for Chorley, from 1979 to 1997.

MEP for North West England

Dover was first elected to the European Parliament in 1999 and was re-elected in 2004.

Resignation

Dover resigned as Conservative Chief Whip in the European Parliament on 6 June 2008. The revelation that forced the resignation was that over nine years he had paid his wife and daughter £750,000 from public funds. (This came after the Conservatives' Leader in Europe, Giles Chichester, resigned because he put large sums of money for secretarial and office work through the account of a company of which he was a paid director). Dover was forced to resign by acting Conservative MEP leader, Philip Bushill-Matthews who was appointed only a day prior. Dover was replaced as Conservative Chief Whip by Richard Ashworth MEP.

An inquiry by the European Parliament found him guilty of a conflict of interest, and he was ordered to repay £500,000 of the expenses. The Parliament's ruling lead to Dover being expelled from the Conservative Party. Dover's case has been passed to the European Anti-Fraud Office for investigation.

Dover stood down from the European Parliament at the 2009 European Elections.

External links

• Profile at European Parliament website

External links

• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Den Dover

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by George Rodgers	Member of Parliament for Chorley 1979 – 1997	Succeeded by Lindsay Hoyle
European Parliament
New constituency	Member of European Parliament for North West England 1999 – 2009	Succeeded by multi-member