Bob Stewart (politician)

Stewart was born on 7 July 1949 to a father serving in the military. He was privately educated at Chigwell School, followed by the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst near Camberley in Surrey. He spent part of his childhood in Cyprus.{{cite web|title= Bob Stewart MP answers ConHome's Twenty Questions for the Class of 2010|url= http://conservativehome.blogs.com/parliament/2010/08/bob-stewart-mp-answers-conhomes-twenty-questions-for-the-class-of-2010.html|date= 18 January 2013|archive-url= https://archive.today/20130118105709/http://conservativehome.blogs.com/parliament/2010/08/bob-stewart-mp-answers-conhomes-twenty-questions-for-the-class-of-2010.html|archive-date= 18 January 2013|access-date= 7 August 2010|url-status= live|df= dmy-all}}

Stewart was accepted for officer training at the age of seventeen, and after two years of training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, was commissioned into the Cheshire Regiment as a second lieutenant on 25 July 1969. His service number was 487588.{{London Gazette|issue=44923 |supp=y|pages=8768–8769|date=22 August 1969}} He was promoted to lieutenant on 25 January 1971.{{London Gazette|issue=45287 |supp=y|page=914|date=26 January 1971}} In 1974 he undertook an in-service Bachelor's degree in International Politics at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, graduating with first class honours.{{cite news|url=http://www.cmmol.net/bob_stewart.htm|title=Bob Stewart|publisher=CMM|access-date=8 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601091921/http://www.cmmol.net/bob_stewart.htm|archive-date=1 June 2009|url-status=usurped}}{{cite news|url=http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/news/archive/2010/05/title-85880-en.html|title=Aberystwyth at Westminster|work=Aberystwyth University|access-date=29 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612011647/http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/news/archive/2010/05/title-85880-en.html|archive-date=12 June 2011|url-status=live}} He was promoted captain on 25 July 1975.{{London Gazette|issue=46644 |supp=y|page=9643|date=28 July 1975}}

From 1977 Stewart served in Northern Ireland both as intelligence officer and, after attending Staff College, Camberley and promotion to major on 30 September 1981, company commander of A Company 1st Battalion Cheshire Regiment, with an intermediate period spent at Sandhurst as an instructor.{{London Gazette|issue=48770 |supp=y|pages=13261–13263|date=19 October 1981}} During his time in Northern Ireland he was the Incident Commander at the Droppin Well bombing in Ballykelly which killed seventeen people.{{cite news|url=http://www.rgu.ac.uk/pressrel/Leadership%2520lecture.doc|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120712222113/http://www.rgu.ac.uk/pressrel/Leadership%20lecture.doc|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 July 2012|title=Decorated Colonel speaks at RGU|access-date=8 August 2009}} Stewart heard the explosion and arrived at the scene two or three minutes later. Six of the dead soldiers were from his company, including his clerk and storeman.{{cite web | url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm100526/debtext/100526-0011.htm#10052612000826 | title=HC Deb c216 | date=26 May 2010 | work=Hansard | access-date=27 September 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111121232202/http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm100526/debtext/100526-0011.htm#10052612000826 | archive-date=21 November 2011 | url-status=live }} He received a personal commendation from the general commanding in Northern Ireland for his actions on the day.

In 2017 Stewart spoke of using{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-38758940|title=MP was 'kind of torturer' in Troubles|date=27 January 2017|access-date=12 November 2019|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203150231/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-38758940|archive-date=3 December 2019|url-status=live}} and authorising now forbidden deep-interrogation techniques during his time in Northern Ireland.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-38758940|title=Conservative MP Bob Stewart 'was kind of torturer' during Troubles|date=27 January 2017|work=BBC News|access-date=22 May 2017|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425231130/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-38758940|archive-date=25 April 2017|url-status=live}}

Stewart served in the Ministry of Defence, and was second-in-command of an infantry battalion. He was promoted lieutenant colonel on 31 December 1987,{{London Gazette|issue=51194 |supp=y|pages=303–304|date=11 January 1988}} and served as a military attaché to the NATO military committee in Brussels.{{Cite news | title=Desert Rats ready after rehearsal in bandit country | work=The Times | location=London | date=16 September 1992}} In March 1991 he assumed command of the 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment,{{sfn|Badsey|Latawski|2004|page=35}} and as commanding officer returned to Northern Ireland for a further two operational tours and then became the first British Commander of United Nations forces in Bosnia from September 1992 to May 1993. It was as commanding officer in Bosnia, as part of Operation Grapple, that he earned the nickname "Bosnia Bob" and became something of a media personality.{{sfn|Finlan|2004|page=56}}

During his time in Bosnia he discovered the Ahmići massacre in which 103 people had been killed.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/603992.stm|access-date=8 August 2009|title=Ahmici sentences 'are just a start'|work=BBC News|date=14 January 2000|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030405012025/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/603992.stm|archive-date=5 April 2003|url-status=live}} He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order on 12 June 1993 on his return to the United Kingdom.{{London Gazette|issue=53333 |supp=y|page=30|date=11 June 1993}} He was promoted colonel on 31 December 1993,{{London Gazette|issue=53537 |supp=y|page=20680|date=31 December 1993}} and went on to take up the position of Chief of Policy at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, before officially retiring from the army on 1 February 1996.{{London Gazette|issue=54308 |supp=y|page=1801|date=5 February 1996}}

In 1997 Stewart took three weeks' leave from the public relations company Hill & Knowlton to help his friend Martin Bell who was standing for Parliament in Tatton as an Independent candidate. Stewart was alongside Bell when they were confronted by the sitting Conservative Member of Parliament for the constituency, Neil Hamilton and his wife Christine on Knutsford Heath.{{cite news|first1=Russell|last1=Jenkins|first2=Carol|last2=Midgley|title=Bell's first dispatch from the front line|work=The Times|location=London|date=9 April 1997|page=1}} Bell, who was opposing Hamilton as a result of accusations that Hamilton had accepted money for promoting causes in Parliament, gave Stewart the credit for defining his criticism of Hamilton as having already admitted to "conduct unbecoming".{{cite news|title=Martin Bell's campaign diary|work=The Guardian|location=Manchester|date=6 May 1997}}

In 2006, he presented the British tv show At War With Next Door.

Since leaving the army Stewart has become a well-known commentator upon military and political affairs, frequently commenting upon the defence policy of the British Government and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.{{cite news | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/revealed-16312bn-hidden-costs-of-afghan-war-1761469.html | access-date=8 August 2009 | title=Revealed: £12bn hidden costs of Afghan war | work=The Independent | location=London | first1=Brian | last1=Brady | first2=Jonathan | last2=Owen | date=26 July 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090730003848/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/revealed-16312bn-hidden-costs-of-afghan-war-1761469.html | archive-date=30 July 2009 | url-status=live }} In 2009 he condemned the system compensating injured soldiers, accusing the MOD of acting with "the speed of a striking sloth".{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/defence/5926558/2500-wounded-British-soldiers-waiting-for-compensation-figures-show.html | access-date=8 August 2009 | title=2,500 wounded British soldiers waiting for compensation, figures show | work=The Daily Telegraph | location=London | first1=James | last1=Kirkup | first2=Aislinn | last2=Simpson | first3=Nick | last3=Britten | date=29 July 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090801045218/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/defence/5926558/2500-wounded-British-soldiers-waiting-for-compensation-figures-show.html | archive-date=1 August 2009 | url-status=dead }}{{cite news|url=http://news.scotsman.com/latestnews/39Disclose-full-horror-of-our.5511524.jp|access-date=8 August 2009|title=Disclose full horror of our boys' injuries|location=Edinburgh|work=The Scotsman|first=Michael|last=Howie|date=31 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090803110729/http://news.scotsman.com/latestnews/39Disclose-full-horror-of-our.5511524.jp|archive-date=3 August 2009|url-status=live}} He also accused the government of repeatedly refusing the requests of army commanders for more troops and more helicopters in Afghanistan.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8146546.stm|access-date=8 August 2009|title=Helicopters 'do not end war risk' | work=BBC News | date=12 July 2009}}

On 28 July 2009, it was revealed that Stewart had been approved to put himself forward for selection to constituency associations as a PPC for the Conservative Party. As the former commander of the Cheshire Regiment he was linked to the safe Conservative East Cheshire seats of Macclesfield and Congleton,{{cite news|url=http://www.macclesfield-express.co.uk/news/s/1149704_wintertons_possible_successor__six_hopefuls_revealed|access-date=30 September 2009|title=Winterton's possible successor – six hopefuls revealed|work=Macclesfield Express|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091002192357/http://www.macclesfield-express.co.uk/news/s/1149704_wintertons_possible_successor__six_hopefuls_revealed|archive-date=2 October 2009|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Morgan |first=David |date=21 November 2009 |title=Middlewich candidates aim to start a new era for Tories |work=Middlewich Guardian |url=http://www.middlewichguardian.co.uk/news/4752134._It_will_be_the_end_of_an_era_/ |url-status=live |access-date=24 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726134812/http://www.middlewichguardian.co.uk/news/4752134._It_will_be_the_end_of_an_era_/ |archive-date=26 July 2011}} however the final shortlists for Macclesfield and for Congleton from Conservative Central Office did not contain his name. In summer 2009 he was shortlisted for Beckenham, one of the safest Conservative seats in the country,{{cite news|url=http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/jameskirkup/100004912/col-bob-stewart-accepted-as-conservative-candidate/|access-date=8 August 2009|title=Col Bob Stewart accepted as Conservative candidate|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|date=28 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303183334/http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/jameskirkup/100004912/col-bob-stewart-accepted-as-conservative-candidate/|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=dead}} and on 6 December it was announced that he had been selected as Conservative candidate there, winning an overall majority on the second ballot.{{cite web |url=http://conservativehome.blogs.com/goldlist/2009/12/somebody-will-inherit-the-safest-tory-seat-in-the-country-this-afternoon.html |title=Bob Stewart selected for Beckenham |publisher=ConservativeHome |date=6 December 2009 |access-date=6 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091208162841/http://conservativehome.blogs.com/goldlist/2009/12/somebody-will-inherit-the-safest-tory-seat-in-the-country-this-afternoon.html |archive-date=8 December 2009 |url-status=live }}

At the 2010 general election, Stewart was elected as the new MP for Beckenham.{{cite web|url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24907/bob_stewart/beckenham/divisions?policy=826|title=Bob Stewart MP, Beckenham – TheyWorkForYou|website=TheyWorkForYou|access-date=30 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831072003/https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24907/bob_stewart/beckenham/divisions?policy=826|archive-date=31 August 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Election 2010 {{!}} Constituency {{!}} Beckenham|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/election2010/results/constituency/a22.stm|website=news.bbc.co.uk|access-date=7 May 2020}} He won 57.9% of the vote, a decrease of 1.8%, and won a majority of 17,784,{{cite web|title=Election Data 2010|url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2010.txt|publisher=Electoral Calculus|access-date=17 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726162034/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2010.txt|archive-date=26 July 2013}} an increase from 8,401 at the 2005 general election.{{cite web|title=Election Data 2005|url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2005ob.txt|publisher=Electoral Calculus|access-date=18 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015054249/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2005ob.txt|archive-date=15 October 2011}}

In 2013, Stewart voted against same-sex marriage and called on the then Prime Minister David Cameron to drop the proposal.{{cite web|title=Voting record - Bob Stewart MP, Beckenham|url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24907/bob_stewart/beckenham/votes|website=TheyWorkForYou|language=en|access-date=7 May 2020}} Five years later in May 2018 he apologised unreservedly in the House of Commons chamber for voting against same-sex marriage, after he had seen "the joy" it had brought to the lives of same-sex couples. In 2019, he voted to extend same-sex marriage to couples in Northern Ireland.{{cite web|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/05/17/tory-mp-bob-stewart-wrong-apology-marriage/|title=Tory MP apologises for voting against equal marriage: 'I was wrong'|date=17 May 2018|website=PinkNews|language=en-GB|access-date=12 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112151915/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/05/17/tory-mp-bob-stewart-wrong-apology-marriage/|archive-date=12 November 2019|url-status=live}}

Stewart served on the House of Commons Defence Select Committee and in May 2014 he was one of seven unsuccessful candidates for the chairmanship of the committee.{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-committees/defence/Defence-Committee-chair-election-final-results.pdf|publisher=parliament.uk|access-date=17 May 2014|title=Defence Committee Chair election: Rory Stewart MP elected|date=14 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140518063408/http://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-committees/defence/Defence-Committee-chair-election-final-results.pdf|archive-date=18 May 2014|url-status=live}}

Stewart has been vocal in criticising cuts to the defence budget, suggesting in March 2015, that if the Joint Chiefs of Staff were to resign over the issue it would "make a very powerful message". When asked if he would resign as an MP himself, he said that he was considering it.{{cite news|last1=Morris|first1=Nigel|title=Col Bob Stewart: Defence chiefs 'should resign over Army cuts'|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/col-bob-stewart-defence-chiefs-should-resign-over-army-cuts-10086174.html|access-date=7 April 2015|work=The Independent|date=4 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413130527/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/col-bob-stewart-defence-chiefs-should-resign-over-army-cuts-10086174.html|archive-date=13 April 2015|url-status=live}}

Stewart was re-elected at the 2015 general election with an increased majority of 18,471 and a decreased vote share of 57.3%.{{cite web|title=Election Data 2015|url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2015.txt|publisher=Electoral Calculus|access-date=17 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017112223/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2015.txt|archive-date=17 October 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.bromley.gov.uk/downloads/file/2228/beckenham_constituency_result_of_poll_may_2015|title=London Borough of Bromley download - General Election May 2015 results Council and democracy - Elections and voting - Elections|first=London Borough of|last=Bromley|website=www.bromley.gov.uk|access-date=2015-08-18|archive-date=2015-09-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923194745/http://www.bromley.gov.uk/downloads/file/2228/beckenham_constituency_result_of_poll_may_2015|url-status=live}}

In 2016, Stewart was criticised after it was revealed he had described Isabel Hardman, The Spectator's assistant editor, as "totty". He later apologised to the journalist, but went on to publicly defend himself against an environment that he described as overly 'politically correct'.{{cite web|url=https://www.totalpolitics.com/articles/news/tory-mp-bob-stewart-breaks-his-silence-totty-row|title=Tory MP Bob Stewart breaks his silence on 'totty' row|date=14 April 2016|website=TotalPolitics.com}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/politics/mp-apologises-for-calling-female-political-journalist-totty/|title=MP apologises for calling female political journalist 'totty'|work=The Telegraph|access-date=22 May 2017|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510083844/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/politics/mp-apologises-for-calling-female-political-journalist-totty/|archive-date=10 May 2017|url-status=live}} In November 2017, Stewart countered sexual harassment allegations saying "I'm not sleazy or drunk".{{cite web|date=3 December 2020|title='I'm not sleazy or drunk' - Colonel Bob Stewart refutes Westminster sex harassment claims {{!}} talkRADIO|url=https://talkradio.co.uk/news/im-not-sleazy-or-drunk-colonel-bob-stewart-refutes-westminster-sex-harassment-claims|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203084828/https://talkradio.co.uk/news/im-not-sleazy-or-drunk-colonel-bob-stewart-refutes-westminster-sex-harassment-claims|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 December 2020|access-date=23 December 2021}}

Stewart's seat was a target seat for the Liberal Democrats at both the 2017 and 2019 general election, following his open support of Brexit.{{cite web|url= http://www.bromleytimes.co.uk/news/lib_dems_gunning_for_beckenham_as_leave_backing_mp_s_seat_listed_as_under_threat_1_4842997|title= Lib Dems Gunning for Beckenham|publisher= Bromley Times|date= 10 January 2017|access-date= 18 April 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170116053713/http://www.bromleytimes.co.uk/news/lib_dems_gunning_for_beckenham_as_leave_backing_mp_s_seat_listed_as_under_threat_1_4842997|archive-date= 16 January 2017|url-status= live}} At the snap 2017 general election, Stewart held his seat with a vote share increased by 2%, but with a decreased majority of 15,087.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000551 |title=Beckenham parliamentary constituency |work=BBC News |access-date=2018-06-22 |archive-date=2018-10-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022062341/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000551 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-7979/CBP-7979.pdf |title=Commons Briefing Paper 7979. General Election 2017: results and analysis |edition=Second |date=29 January 2019 |orig-date=7 April 2018 |publisher=House of Commons Library |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112183438/https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-7979/CBP-7979.pdf |archive-date=12 November 2019}} At the 2019 general election, Stewart was re-elected with a decreased vote share of 54.0% and a decreased majority of 14,258.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000551|title=Beckenham parliamentary constituency – Election 2017|work=BBC News|access-date=11 June 2017|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022062341/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000551|archive-date=22 October 2018|url-status=live}}

In the House of Commons Stewart sat on the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee{{cite web|url=https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/northern-ireland-affairs-committee/news-parliament-2017/dissolution--committee-membership-news-/|title=Northern Ireland Affairs Committee Committee membership at the end of Parliament 2017-19 - News from Parliament|website=UK Parliament|language=en|access-date=12 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112175307/https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/northern-ireland-affairs-committee/news-parliament-2017/dissolution--committee-membership-news-/|archive-date=12 November 2019|url-status=live}} and had previously sat on the Committees on Arms Export Controls and Defence Sub-Committee.{{cite web|title=Bob Stewart|url=https://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/bob-stewart/3919|website=Parliament UK|access-date=27 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828001819/https://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/bob-stewart/3919|archive-date=28 August 2018|url-status=live}}

Stewart employed his wife as a part-time, Senior Parliamentary Assistant.{{cite web|url=http://www.theipsa.org.uk/mp-costs/your-mp/bob-stewart/|title=IPSA|publisher=GOV.UK|access-date=27 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828001827/http://www.theipsa.org.uk/mp-costs/your-mp/bob-stewart/|archive-date=28 August 2018|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=2015-06-29 |title=One in five MPs employs a family member: the full list revealed |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/11706561/One-in-four-MPs-employs-a-family-member-the-full-list-revealed.html |access-date=2024-02-23 |website=The Telegraph |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Bob Stewart MP |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmregmem/230306/stewart_bob.htm}} MPs who were first elected in 2017 have been banned from employing family members, the restriction is not retrospective – meaning that Stewart's employment of his wife was allowed.{{cite news|title=MPs banned from employing spouses after election in expenses crackdown|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/mps-banned-from-employing-spouses-after-election-in-expenses-crackdown-a3520036.html|last=Cecil|first=Nicholas|date=21 April 2017|access-date=31 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225210938/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/mps-banned-from-employing-spouses-after-election-in-expenses-crackdown-a3520036.html|archive-date=25 December 2018|url-status=live}}

During a 2018 interview with Russia Today that followed the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, Stewart suggested that teachers in American high schools may have to be armed.{{cite web|url=https://www.politicshome.com/news/world/united-states/donald-trump/news/93303/watch-tory-mp-bob-stewart-says-arming-us-teachers-|title=WATCH Tory MP Bob Stewart says arming US teachers 'should be considered'|date=2 March 2018|website=PoliticsHome.com|language=en|access-date=12 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112125052/https://www.politicshome.com/news/world/united-states/donald-trump/news/93303/watch-tory-mp-bob-stewart-says-arming-us-teachers-|archive-date=12 November 2019|url-status=live}}

In March 2020, Stewart was accused of fuelling xenophobia after he described COVID-19 as a "foul Chinese illness" in a Facebook post. Stewart said: "My grandfather died of Spanish flu in 1919 and I used the word Chinese Flu in respect of where the virus originated. As a constituent emailed me and thought I was being rude about the Chinese I deleted the word 'Chinese' because that was not my intention."{{cite news |last1=Wearmouth |first1=Rachel |title=Tory MP Bob Stewart Calls Coronavirus 'Foul Chinese Illness' In Facebook Post |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/tory-mp-calls-coronavirus-foul-chinese-illness-in-unthinkingly-crude-facebook-post_uk_5e81c608c5b6cb9dc1a392dc |access-date=5 June 2020 |work=HuffPost UK |date=31 March 2020}}

He is a Sino-sceptic who co-chaired the British-Taiwanese all-party parliamentary group along with Lord Rogan.{{cite tweet|user=_theformosaclub|number=1430690655941050370|title=Our Co-Chairs & members from @Europarl_EN & 27 nat'l parliaments call on @eucopresident, @vonderleyen, @EP_President & @jensstoltenberg to show solidarity with Lithuania and support its decision to expand ties with Taiwan! Democracies should look after each other!|author=The Formosa Club|access-date=26 August 2021|language=en}}

In July 2021, Stewart was one of five Conservative MPs found by the Commons Select Committee on Standards to have breached the code of conduct by writing to the Lord Chief Justice to try to influence a judge not to release character statements made by ordinary members of the public – former constituents of the former Conservative MP Charlie Elphicke, who had previously been found guilty of three counts of sexual assault and sentenced to two years in prison.{{cite news |last1=Binding |first1=Lucia |title=Five Tory MPs breached code of conduct by trying to influence judge in Charlie Elphicke sex assault trial, committee rules |url=https://news.sky.com/story/five-tory-mps-breached-code-of-conduct-by-trying-to-influence-elphicke-sex-assault-trial-committee-rules-12360356 |access-date=21 July 2021 |work=Sky News |date=21 July 2021}} Stewart reportedly wrote to the judge saying Elphicke's sentence should take into account his hard work as an MP, and described his crimes as "folly".{{cite news|title=Beckenham MP investigated over letter written in support of disgraced ex-colleague|url=https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/19293955.bob-stewart-investigation-parliamentary-watchdog/|last=O'Byrne Mulligan|first=Euan|date=11 May 2021|work=News Shopper|access-date=23 December 2021|language=en}} On 22 July 2021, Stewart made a personal statement in the House of Commons apologising.

In November 2023, Stewart announced that he would not be seeking re-election at the 2024 general election.{{cite news |date=19 November 2023 |title=Bob Stewart MP to stand down after racial abuse conviction |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-67467950 |accessdate=19 November 2023 |publisher=BBC News}}

In December 2022, Stewart was captured on video in an exchange with Bahraini human rights activist Sayed Alwadaei, who was stripped of his nationality by the government there,{{Cite news |last=Alwadaei |first=Sayed Ahmed |date=2019-04-19 |title=Hundreds of Bahrainis like me are being made stateless – and the UK is complicit |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/19/bahrainis-stateless-uk-allies |access-date=2023-06-05 |issn=0261-3077}} outside a reception hosted by the Bahraini embassy in London. Alwadaei challenged Stewart, asking him, "Did you sell yourself to the Bahraini regime?" In response, Stewart said that Bahrain was "a great place", adding "Go back to Bahrain" and "You're taking money off my country, go away." Stewart later apologised for his remarks, but said he was "taunted" and had not taken money from Bahrain. Alwadaei submitted a letter of complaint to the Conservative Party, alleging that Stewart had brought the party into disrepute and victimised him because of his race or nationality.{{cite news|title=Bob Stewart MP tells human rights activist to 'go back to Bahrain'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-64033838|date=20 December 2022|publisher=BBC News|language=en}}

Following a police investigation, {{Cite news |date=20 December 2022 |title=Police investigate Conservative MP Bob Stewart's Bahrain comment |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-64041140 |access-date=20 December 2022}} the Crown Prosecution Service authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Stewart with two offences under section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986, including racially aggravated abuse "and in the alternative, a non-aggravated section 5 offence under the same Act."{{cite web |title=CPS authorises charges against MP for public order offence |url=https://www.cps.gov.uk/london-south/news/cps-authorises-charges-against-mp-public-order-offence |access-date=5 June 2023 |website=www.cps.gov.uk}} Stewart pleaded not guilty at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 19 July.{{cite web | url=https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/23665312.beckenham-mp-bob-stewart-pleads-not-guilty-racial-abuse/ | title=Tory Beckenham MP Bob Stewart pleads not guilty to racially abusing man | work=News Shopper | date=19 July 2023 }}

On 3 November 2023, Stewart was found guilty of a racially aggravated public order offence, fined £600, and ordered to pay costs.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-67310954|title=Conservative MP Bob Stewart guilty of racially abusing activist|work=BBC News|date=3 November 2023 |accessdate=3 November 2023}} He surrendered the Conservative Party whip in the Commons pending an appeal against his conviction.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-67320533|title=Tory MP Bob Stewart surrenders whip after racial abuse conviction|date=4 November 2023|work=BBC News|access-date=4 November 2023}}

On 23 February 2024, Stewart successfully appealed his conviction and had the offence overturned at Southwark Crown Court. Mr Justice Bennathan found that while Stewart's comments did amount to abuse, the complainant had not suffered upset, alarm or distress and by his own admission had not heard all of Stewart's comments during their heated exchange.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-23 |title=Court quashes MP's conviction for racially aggravated offence |url=https://www.northwichguardian.co.uk/news/national/24141281.court-quashes-mps-conviction-racially-aggravated-offence/ |access-date=2024-02-23 |website=Northwich Guardian |language=en}}

Stewart lives in Beckenham in London and in 1994 he married his second wife, Clare Podbielski, a Red Cross worker he met while serving in the military. He has six children. He was married to his first wife for 20 years.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/14427853.beckenham-mp-bonking-bob-stewart-reportedly-calls-the-spectators-assistant-editor-totty/|title=Beckenham MP 'Bonking' Bob Stewart 'calls journalist totty'|date=14 April 2016|website=News Shopper}}{{Cite web |date=1994-01-25 |title=Colonel marries aid worker |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12699680.colonel-marries-aid-worker/ |access-date=2024-02-24 |website=The Herald |language=en}}

• He was sworn in as a member of Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council on 10 March 2021 at Windsor Castle.{{cite web |url=https://privycouncil.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2021-03-10-List-of-Business2.pdf |title=ORDERS APPROVED AND BUSINESS TRANSACTED AT THE PRIVY COUNCIL HELD BY THE QUEEN AT WINDSOR CASTLE ON 10TH MARCH 2021 |last=King |first=Ceri |date=10 March 2021 |website=The Privy Council Office |access-date=22 August 2022 }} This entitled him to the honorific prefix "The Right Honourable" for life.

• Bosnian War
• United Nations Peacekeeping
• United Nations Protection Force

{{Reflist}}

;Bibliography

{{Refbegin}}

• {{cite book|title=Britain, NATO, and the lessons of the Balkan conflicts, 1991–1999|editor-first1=Stephen|editor-last1=Badsey|editor-first2=Paul Chester|editor-last2=Latawski|publisher=Frank Cass|location=Abingdon|year=2004|isbn=9780714651903}}
• {{cite book|title=The Collapse of Yugoslavia 1991–1999|first=Alastair|last=Finlan|publisher=Osprey Publishing|location=Oxford|year=2004|isbn=9781841768052|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/collapseofyugosl00alas}}

{{Refend}}

{{Commons category|Bob Stewart (Politician)|Bob Stewart}}

• [http://www.conservatives.com/People/Members_of_Parliament/Stewart_Bob.aspx Bob Stewart MP] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100518120349/http://www.conservatives.com/People/Members_of_Parliament/Stewart_Bob.aspx |date=18 May 2010 }} Conservative Party profile
• [http://www.beckenhamconservatives.com/ Beckenham Conservatives]
• {{UK MP links | parliament = bob-stewart/3919 | guardian = 11513/bob-stewart | publicwhip = Bob_Stewart | theywork = bob_stewart | record = Robert-Stewart/Beckenham/1238 | bbc = 83527.stm | journalisted = bob-stewart }}
• {{C-SPAN|62983}}

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