Sponsored by
Law-hound Hamish vows to stub out MP
BLACKPOOL'S smoking ban rebel Hamish Howitt intends to fight for a Blackpool parliamentary seat and become a lawyer.
The determined Scot has challenged the courts at the highest level over his right to allow customers to smoke at The Happy Scots Bar on Rigby Road.
And now he is embarking on two new campaigns – one as a politician and another as a trainee lawyer.
The UK Independence Party (UKIP) has selected Howitt, from Park Road, Blackpool as their candidate to challenge Gordon Marsden's Blackpool South seat at the next election.
And the MENSA member, inspired by his courtroom battles, has also been accepted to take on a law degree with the Open University.
He told The Gazette: "I'm preparing to launch my campaign. I want to stand up for people's Freedom to Choose and put right the injustices in society.
"I've also been accepted by the Open University for a four-year law degree.
"My hope is it won't be just a degree – I want to pass the bar and become a barrister.
"I've no pension fund and my business is on its knees following the smoking ban.
"I would be 64 when I qualify but I would absolutely love to achieve it – that would be a dream."
Mr Howitt, 57, consistently flouted the smoking ban at his Happy Scots Bar following its introduction in July 2008.
He was fined on numerous occasions and he, his staff and his wife Jo were hauled before the courts.
His battle against the ban saw a number of challenges, which took him all the way to the High Court in London for an unprecedented case.
But Lord Justice Richards and Mr Justice Tugendhat, sitting at a judicial review hearing, refused to overturn his convictions.
Mr Howitt is now looking to continue his fight and bring the case before the House of Lords and if unsuccessful, the European Court of Human Rights.
He no longer runs the pub, now called The Crazy Scots Fun Palace, having been refused a licence. Mr Howitt remains an owner of the building and leases the pub to a former employee.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Blackpool
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South west
