Former boxer's party in by-election

A new party run by a former boxer is launching its first election bid in Norwich.

NOTA, which stands for None of the Above and is run by for light welterweight champion Terry Marsh, has confirmed that Anne Fryatt will be its candidate when people in Norwich North go to the polls on July 23.

Mr Marsh, 51, a former British, European and IBF light welterweight world champion, who was once charged but eventually cleared of the attempted murder of boxing promoter Frank Warren, told the said his party had only been registered with the UK Electoral Commission since March this year, and the by-election will be the first chance it has to stand.

Mr Marsh, who has already canvassed support in Norwich's Anglia Square, said he would be back in Norwich for the two weekends before the by-election.

He said: “We're not looking to win the by-election. If our candidate gets just 10 votes, and people in the constituency have become aware of us, and know about us, then it will have been a success.

“This is the first by-election since the expenses debacle, and we want the people of Norwich North to give the thumbs down to the main political parties by voting for us.”

Ms Fryatt, who works in marketing in Leeds and is originally from Manchester, said: “I'm very frustrated with the political system as it is.

“The choice voters have at the moment is to either be run over by a bus or a train. We give them something else, and the feedback so far in Norwich has been very positive.”

NORWICH EVENING NEWS