http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6721782.ece
Labour's ill-starred campaign to retain the seat of Norwich North in this week's by-election was dealt a further blow today when it emerged that the party's candidate has come down with swine flu.
Chris Ostrowski, an executive with the retailer John Lewis, fell ill after attending hustings last night and was taken to hospital for treatment.
?We can confirm that Chris Ostrowski is being treated for a suspected case of swine flu," a spokesman for his campaign said.
"This was confirmed by doctors at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital after Chris felt unwell and was taken there earlier today. He collapsed at home and was taken to hospital by ambulance.
?Chris is receiving world class care from an excellent team of doctors, nurses and staff. Clearly, our priority is to ensure that nobody falls ill from swine flu unnecessarily and we will follow the medical advice and take every precaution necessary.?
The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Ian Gibson, who fell foul of Labour's "star chamber" after selling a flat - upon which he had claimed parliamentary expenses ? to his daughter at a reduced rate.
At 28, Mr Ostrowski would become Westminster's youngest MP if he wins Thursday's vote but Mr Gibson remains a popular figure in in the town and there is anger at his treatment by the party. That has left Mr Ostrowski facing an uphill battle to persuade voters to stay with Labour.
A poll in the News of the World suggested that the seat will go instead to the Tory candidate Chloe Smith, a management consultant who at 27 would also be the youngest member in the Commons. That poll gave the Conservatives 34 per cent of the vote, four points clear of Labour, with the Liberal Democrats on 15 per cent, a point ahead of the Greens.
Bookmakers William Hill say the seat is a sure thing for the Tories, whom they rate at 33-1 ON for victory. The firm has opened a book instead on which party will come second, for which Labour is priced at 7-4, slightly ahead of both the Lib Dems and Greens on 5-2.
Labour's ill-starred campaign to retain the seat of Norwich North in this week's by-election was dealt a further blow today when it emerged that the party's candidate has come down with swine flu.
Chris Ostrowski, an executive with the retailer John Lewis, fell ill after attending hustings last night and was taken to hospital for treatment.
?We can confirm that Chris Ostrowski is being treated for a suspected case of swine flu," a spokesman for his campaign said.
"This was confirmed by doctors at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital after Chris felt unwell and was taken there earlier today. He collapsed at home and was taken to hospital by ambulance.
?Chris is receiving world class care from an excellent team of doctors, nurses and staff. Clearly, our priority is to ensure that nobody falls ill from swine flu unnecessarily and we will follow the medical advice and take every precaution necessary.?
The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Ian Gibson, who fell foul of Labour's "star chamber" after selling a flat - upon which he had claimed parliamentary expenses ? to his daughter at a reduced rate.
At 28, Mr Ostrowski would become Westminster's youngest MP if he wins Thursday's vote but Mr Gibson remains a popular figure in in the town and there is anger at his treatment by the party. That has left Mr Ostrowski facing an uphill battle to persuade voters to stay with Labour.
A poll in the News of the World suggested that the seat will go instead to the Tory candidate Chloe Smith, a management consultant who at 27 would also be the youngest member in the Commons. That poll gave the Conservatives 34 per cent of the vote, four points clear of Labour, with the Liberal Democrats on 15 per cent, a point ahead of the Greens.
Bookmakers William Hill say the seat is a sure thing for the Tories, whom they rate at 33-1 ON for victory. The firm has opened a book instead on which party will come second, for which Labour is priced at 7-4, slightly ahead of both the Lib Dems and Greens on 5-2.