Camden News | George Lee | Triad Murders

Publications by New Journal Enterprises

Home

Archive

Competition

Camden News - by RICHARD OSLEY
Published: 19 March 2009

George Lee

Former top cop to take on Frank at ballot box

Ex-chief inspector selected in public vote for Holborn battle

A FORMER police inspector who investigated Triad murders in Soho has taken on a fresh challenge: beating Frank Dobson at the ballot box.
George Lee – once a chief inspector based at Paddington police station – was selected as the Conservative Party’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Holborn and St Pancras on Thursday night.
Mr Lee was picked through the American-style open primary system where a ballot of potential voters is held.
In theory, it means the public pick the candidate rather than a Tory selection panel and the winner has bigger appeal to the electorate from the start of the campaign.
Some Conservative members were surprised that another hopeful, Richard Merrin, was edged out at Thursday’s primary.
Despite a series of failed to attempts to win a seat on the council, Mr Merrin is regarded as a hard worker within the Camden Tories who is likely to gain election to a position at some stage.
Mr Lee is not as well known in Tory circles in Camden but his selection has been welcomed regardless. Born in Hong Kong, he came to Britain aged 10 and unable to speak English. He moved up the police hierarchy to become the highest-ranked Chinese police officer, a sector commander at Paddington.
Paul Barton, chairman of Holborn and St Pancras Conservatives, said: “He is, as far as we know, the first Chinese candidate selected by any major party, showing the Conservatives are truly a modern and inclusive party.”
Mr Lee took director positions at Vodaphone and Mercer Management Consulting after he left the police force.
He has a big challenge ahead: the previous Conservative candidate, businesswoman Margot James, was a distant third.
The Lib Dems, who were second, have already begun their assault on their seat and picked candidate Jo Shaw to take on Mr Dobson last year.
Mr Dobson’s majority is 4,787.

Comment on this article.
(You must supply your full name and email address for your comment to be published)

Name:

Email:

Comment: