Tim Wilson (British politician)

Tim Wilson

Tim Wilson (born 12 May 1961) is a British animator and politician.

Background

Wilson attended Ratcliffe College and Oxford University where he studied Theology in St Benet's Hall under Metropolitan Bishop Kallistos Ware and specialised in inter-faith dialogue, giving lectures in Birmingham. He was a theatre-designer, providing an "American Gothic" design for the first London revival of Stephen Sondheim's "Assassins" directed by Sam Buntrock^[1] He has travelled in Albania, Turkey and Greece drawing the views that Edward Lear first drew in 1848. His work is recorded in the Albanian Encyclopedia of Art.^[2] In 2016, he became a professor in the Moscow State Pedagogical University where he had previously lectured.^[3]

Politics

Wilson was selected as UKIP's candidate for South Northamptonshire at the 2015 general election. However, he resigned from UKIP on 24 March^[4] in support of Humza Yousaf who said he was upset when David Coburn the only UKIP MEP in Scotland allegedly referred to Yousaf as the terrorist Abu Hamza.^[5] In his resignation letter, Tim Wilson made it clear that he believed Nigel Farage, the leader of UKIP had shown poor judgement in dismissing Coburn's alleged remarks as a "a joke in very poor taste. He would not be taking any action against him".^[6] Wilson later made the point that a joke should be funny and that linking Humza Yousaf to convicted terrorist Abu Hamza was not funny. Wilson is reported saying, "If Mr Coburn wants to make bad jokes about religion, then he is welcome to quit and join Monty Python.".^[7] "You can’t toss this thing off as a joke with a pint of beer. It's unacceptable." ^[8] As an animator, Wilson had made films for the UKIP campaign,^[9] UKIP's apparent response has been to accuse Wilson of not being interested in local affairs, a claim he denies in the Daventry Express ^[10] and by standing for election as a local Councillor. A UKIP source made reference to Mr Wilson's partner^[11] who is a torture-victim, Necati Zontul.^[12][13] The blog was later removed.^[14] In 2016, he stood as a conservative candidate and contributed adverts to the Leave campaign.^[15]

Awards

In 2012, Wilson won best animation for "How to be Boss" ^[16]

References