Keith Best
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Keith Best MP |
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| Member of the United Kingdom Parliament for Ynys Môn |
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In office 1979–1987 |
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| Preceded by | Cledwyn Hughes |
| Succeeded by | Ieuan Wyn Jones |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Keith Lander Best 10 June 1949 |
| Nationality | British |
Keith Lander Best (born 10 June 1949) is a former Conservative Party politician in the United Kingdom. He was Member of Parliament (MP) for Anglesey from 1979 (when he gained the seat from Labour) to 1983, and for (the renamed) Ynys Môn from 1983 to 1987. He was Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Wales from 1981 to 1984.
He was forced to resign his seat in 1987 following a conviction for fraud. He has since led the organisations Prisoners Abroad (1989–1993), the Immigration Advisory Service (1993–2009) and Freedom from Torture (2010–2014).
Keith Best was born in Brighton, and was educated at Brighton College and Keble College, Oxford, before becoming a barrister in 1973. He served in the Territorial Army Royal Artillery 1967–89, reaching the rank of Major, and as a Brighton Borough councillor 1976–80.
After his election to Parliament Best was driving when his car was involved in an accident resulting in the death of his personal assistant; the incident affected his reputation, even though he was cleared of responsibility.
During the privatisation of British Telecom, individuals were limited to a single allocation of shares. Best submitted many applications by using minor variations of his name. On 30 September 1987, he was sentenced to four months' imprisonment for this fraud, and was fined £3,000. On 5 October 1987, the Court of Appeal ruled that his jail sentence was too harsh, and Best was released, but his fine was increased to £4,500.
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