Labour MP Reading East

Date of birth

17 April 1954

Political profile

Jane Griffiths was one of Labour's most unexpected winners in 1997.

A former translator for GCHQ and BBC editor, she speaks five languages and is enthusiastically pro-European and a Blair loyalist, yet she has remained on the backbenches.

Part of the reason for this may have been her knack of attracting trouble.

Since her election she has been involved in public disagreements with fellow MPs including former Speaker Betty Boothroyd.

She has also embraced some policies well outside the Blairite mainstream, such as her call for legalised brothels.

She also hold the distinction of being the only Labour MP this parliament to have been deselected by her constituency party; as such, she will not be contesting Reading East at the next general election.

Contact

griffithsj@parliament.uk

Constituency office 0118 957 3756