Thoughts on the Ian Oakley case 

There’s little to say about the Ian Oakley case that Iain Dale didn’t write in his excellent post on the matter earlier.  In which case, I’ll echo Iain by saying that Oakley-style campaigns of intimidation have absolutely no place in politics; that the Tories should investigate why their former candidate for Watford could get away with it for so long; and that the other parties should not try and make political capital out of this.

But I would add one other point.  Iain writes that he hopes Oakley “gets what is undoubtedly coming to him”.  Perhaps he’s right to think that.  But we shouldn’t forget that the case has been adjourned until 16 September, until Oakley’s received a psychiatric assessment.  People are saying he’s a sick man.  He could well be a clinically sick man.  And, for that, he might deserve some sympathy, along with our anger.