William Hague

Graham writes....I've known William Hague for more than 20 years. He has been a political colleague, a significant client (we handled all his Northern media appearances during his time as Conservative leader) and a friend. He supported me when I ended up standing in a by-election in Tony Blair's seat, which neighbours his own (see pic). I know he is a man of character and integrity. His warmth and support during my wife's battle against cancer from 1999 to 2005 was instinctive and generous. During his time as leader I witnessed him being asked about all manner of personal things by journalists from all over the world - he has said many times he is not gay and the statement he issued recently should not have been a surprise.

When the media rang me up to ask if I would comment about it, I chose my platforms - local TV and newspapers - and issued a simple statement of my own: He has been subjected to trashy innuendo from trashy people for trashy publications. I think that it is a shame that the Amercian politics of personal destruction forced him to make his public statement but admire him for doing so nevertheless. Those sneering metropolitan commentators who say that issuing the statement was wrong are just trying to create an angle to transform this into a political issue about his judgement; they claim he made the situation worse but conveniently ignore that fact that when his adviser resigned the issue would have been a full blown media story, by issuing his statement he got his position out without, in the media phrase, 'being forced to make a statement'. It is entirely in the character of William Hague to speak plainly, not for him hiding from an issue or dashing to lawyers for gagging orders like sports stars or celebrities.

In the North his support is solid. No friend, colleague, or for that matter political opponent, has said anything snide to the regional media and the regional media have not followed the metropolitan elite who so despise a successful Yorkshireman. Hague is bigger than the small minded smear merchants who attack him. He is more important to the country and his constituents than the commentators who drip poison. I, for one, was happy to offer public, unequivocal support.