Weaver Vale MP Graham Evans has been slated as the ‘meanest MP’

Jan 5 2012 by Rachel Flint, Chester Chronicle

FORMER deputy prime minister John Prescott has asked whether Frodsham’s MP is ‘Britain’s meanest’, after he advertised a six-month internship at his office with no pay.

MP for Weaver Vale Graham Evans advertised for a ‘bright and hardworking’ Conservative supporter who would sort out his post, draft letters and research issues.

The ad said the placement was ‘ideal for undergraduates’.

Campaign group Intern Aware claimed Mr Evans – whose Weaver Vale constituency covers Frodsham, Helsby and Runcorn – may be breaking the law by not paying a wage.

And Labour’s former deputy prime minister Lord Prescott blasted the move on social networking site Twitter, saying: “Is this Britain's meanest MP? Wants young person to work for him for six months for nothing – not even food and travel!”

He added: “At a time of record youth unemployment, is this their idea of job creation?

“They pay young people nothing while giving honours to bankers and party donors.

“It’s just the same old Tories.”

But Mr Evans said employing unpaid interns was a ‘complete non-story’.

He said: “It is common practice for MPs of all political parties to have volunteers helping out in their parliamentary offices.

“My office has a small number of full-time students come in to do ad-hoc volunteering to gain experience of Parliament around their studies.

“This is an exciting opportunity for many young people and it is perfectly legitimate.”

Since the election, there have been more than 250 unpaid internships advertised by MPs – with the longest lasting 10 months.