Millionaire Liberal Democrat John “three homes” Hemming has told Radio 4 he would vote for a rise in tuition fees to punish students who occupied his constituency office. His extraordinary exchange with Eddie Mair came after an embarassing argument with a protester live on local radio:

EM: How are you going to vote on Thursday?

JH: At the moment I’m very likely to vote for the increase simply because we cannot reward the bad behaviour from today. I have … [interrupted]

EM: Just a second. Part of your thinking might be to punish protesters?

JH: The problem you’ve got is this. If you reward this form of behaviour, if it has any effect which is a positive effect, you’re encouraging the behaviour in the future.

EM: Part of the reason you’re going to reach your decision is based on the protests?

JH: Part of the reason has to be based on the protests because I cannot allow that to influence me in any favourable manner whatsoever.

[wpaudio url=”http://politicalscrapbook.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/hemming_john_bbc_radio_wm.mp3″ text=”John Hemming challenged by student on BBC Radio West Midlands” dl=”1″]

[wpaudio url=”http://politicalscrapbook.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/hemming_john_pm_radio4.mp3″ text=”John Hemming interviewed by Eddie Mair on PM” dl=”1″]

What a complete Jeremy Hunt!