David Prior (UK politician)

For other people named David Prior, see David Prior (disambiguation).

David Prior
Member of Parliament for Norfolk North
In office 1 May 1997 – 7 June 2001
Preceded by	Ralph Howell
Succeeded by	Norman Lamb
Personal details
Born	3 December 1954 (1954-12-03) (age 56)
Nationality	British
Political party	Conservative
Spouse(s)	Caroline Holmes

David Gifford Leathes Prior (born 3 December 1954) is a former Conservative Party politician in the United Kingdom. He served as Member of Parliament (MP) for North Norfolk from 1997 until the 2001 general election, when he lost his seat to Norman Lamb of the Liberal Democrats by 483 votes.

Early life

He went to the independent Charterhouse School and the University of Cambridge, where he gained an MA in Law.

During his time at Cambridge, he helped to launch the Cambridge University Industrial Society, a student group, which subsequently spread to many other UK Universities.

From 1977-80, he worked for the investment banks Lehman Brothers and Lazard Freres. From 1980-7, he worked for British Steel, becoming Commercial Director.

Parliamentary career

After losing his seat to Norman Lamb, he became Chief Executive of the national Conservative Party and its vice-chairman. In 2002 he was appointed chairman of the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Trust, resigning in November 2006.

On 14 November 2006, he was arrested [1], among others, by Norfolk Constabulary investigating allegations of financial irregularities at Cawston Park Hospital previously known as Cawston College, a private psychiatric hospital in Cawston, Norfolk. He was cleared of involvement in the alleged fraud on 15 February 2007.^[1]

Personal life

He is the son of former Conservative cabinet minister James Prior. He married Caroline Holmes on February 14, 1987. They have a son and a daughter.

References

1. ^ "Ex-MP cleared of fraud allegation". BBC News. 2007-02-15. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/norfolk/6365021.stm. Retrieved 2007-11-07. 

External links

• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by David Prior
• They Work For You

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Ralph Howell	Member of Parliament for Norfolk North 1997–2001	Succeeded by Norman Lamb

Persondata
Name	Prior, David
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	3 December 1954
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death