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Icon Books is to publish a "controversial" title on the expenses scandal by former politician, Martin Bell. Managing director Simon Flynn bought world rights from Peter Cox of Redhammer management.
The book is yet untitled, however Bell told The Bookseller that he would like to call it 'Swindler's List'. He said: "The book is writing itself really - I'm just so amazed, it's such an extreme revelation in our politics. In no time in my life have I found everyone talking about politics."
He said when writing the book he would compare what he knows now to what he knew when he was an MP. He added: "I have a peculiar take on it because of my history - I don't know whether to laugh or to cry."
Bell said he hoped the book would be controversial: "It's not going to be a bland book."
He added: "I felt that this was a book that had to be written. Our politics and confidence in Government is in a state of crisis. I hope to be able to draw on my experience as an MP and as a member of The Standards and Privileges Committee to explain how these extraordinary problems arose and how we can resolve them so that our democracy comes out the stronger. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to revive our politics."
Bell is currently a British UNICEF ambassador, but has previously been a war reporter and an independent politician. He was elected as an MP in Cheshire in 1997 after an anti-sleaze campaign. He was the first successful independent parliamentary candidate since 1951.
Simon Flynn added: "We are proud and honored to be publishing Martin Bell’s new book. Icon is an independent house which seeks to publish challenging and important literature. From his unparalleled vantage point, Martin foretold the collapse of trust in politicians with a devastatingly accurate eye and this new book corresponds exactly with Martin’s aim to bring the future of politics to the forefront of the public agenda."
The book will be published by Icon in early October this year. Bell has previously written titles including, In Harm's Way (Penguin), An Accidental MP (Penguin), Through Gates of Fire (Weidenfeld & Nicolson) and The Truth That Sticks (Icon).