Disgraced former MP Neil Hamilton has been declared bankrupt.
He attended Macclesfield county court in Cheshire today to face a bankruptcy petition brought by the Harrods owner, Mohamed Al Fayed.
The proceedings follow Mr Hamilton's defeat in his libel action against Mr Fayed, who had accused him of taking cash for asking questions in the House of Commons, and the loss of his subsequent appeal against the decision.
The ex-Tory MP has debts estimated at £3m and is expected to lose the £1.25m home he shares with wife Christine in Nether Alderley. He lost his Tatton seat to BBC journalist Martin Bell in the last election.
Mr Hamilton has vowed to take his case to the European court of human rights.
Related articles
22.12.2000: Hamilton protests as he loses the last battle
22.12.2000: Comment by Alan Rusbridger
27.12.2000: Comment by Peter Preston
More court reports
01.10.1996: A liar and a cheat
Full text
Neil Hamilton: 'I am stunned by the jury's verdict'
Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger: 'Today's verdict vindicates the Guardian'
Light relief
Neilhamiltonisinnocent.com
Useful links
House of Commons committee on standards and privileges
Neil Hamilton as after-dinner speaker
The Mohamed Al Fayed home page