Paul Marsden - Post-Parliamentary Career

Post-Parliamentary Career

Before retiring from politics, Marsden co-authored the book 'Voices for Peace' published by Simon and Schuster in 2001. Four years later he researched and published a local history book, The Blackfriars of Shrewsbury and returned to business consultancy in 2005. He also wrote more anti-war poetry.

In December 2005, Marsden caused a row when he publicly confirmed Charles Kennedy's drinking problems and that Kennedy had not been telling the truth about his illness. Kennedy's press secretary vehemently denied Marsden's story. However by 5 January 2006, Kennedy admitted he had "a drink problem" and had sought "professional help". He resigned two days later as leader.

In 2007, Marsden was appointed Director of Policy at the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection and between 2008 and 2010 was the CEO of the Painting and Decorating Association.

In May 2009, Marsden applied to rejoin the Labour Party but was provisionally blocked by the National Executive and is not presently a member of any political party.

In September 2010, Marsden's war poem, 'Eighty at Ligny' was used in l'exposition historique for the British WWI war cemetery in memory of the eighty British, Irish and Canadian soldiers who are buried in Ligny-sur-Canche. In 2010, Marsden returned to business consultancy, working as a consultant for a trade conference.

In January 2011, it was reported that Marsden had commenced legal enquiries into allegations of hacking into his phone back in 2003. A suspended reporter who worked at the Sunday Mirror and then the News of the World was claimed to be involved. A Channel 4 Dispatches programme interviewed Marsden and it was revealed that the reporter in question, had been suspended for phone hacking, although he denied it. It was the first time that a newspaper other than the News of the World had been cited in connection with allegations of phone hacking.

In May 2011, Marsden wrote on his Blog, www.paulwbmarsden.blogspot.com, an article about the debate on public interest vs privacy in which he mentioned the allegations that Ryan Giggs was the footballer who had taken out a super injunction against Imogen Thomas. His Blog was written before John Hemming (politician) revealed the Manchester United player's name under parliamentary privilege.

In July 2012, Marsden was appointed as a consultant to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Specialist Security and was employed to draft the inquiry report on VIP Security at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London.