A CONTROVERSIAL pub landlord who was jailed for not paying fines imposed for defying the smoking ban is to stand for Parliament.

Nick Hogan, who was released from prison last week after his debt was paid by supporters, has been selected as a candidate by the UK Independence Party (UKIP) to represent Chorley, where he and his wife Denise are in charge of The Swan With Two Necks pub.

The former boss of the Swan and Barristers in Bradshawgate, said: “UKIP is pro-choice and that I why I am standing for them.

“Smokers are treated like second class citizens by this government, which is out of touch with public opinion. I have had letters from people across the whole country and that has given me a real morale boost.

“I don’t know these people, just like I didn’t know the people who raised more than £10,000 in just five days to secure my release. “It was a superb effort.”

The 43-year-old was fined by Bolton magistrates after he was found guilty of breaching the smoking ban in January, 2008, for allowing customers to smoke in his pub.

And last month he was jailed for failing to pay those fines, only to be released last week when an internet campaign raised more than £10,000 in under a week.

Mr Hogan owed £8,445.15 after his fine was reduced by £103 for every day he spent in prison.

Mr Hogan added: “I believe in equality and freedom to choose and the fact that people raised so much money was an example of the court of public opinion at

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Paul Nuttall, North West MEP for UKIP, said: “We fully support Nick as our candidate. “We are delighted that, despite all the trauma he has recently been through, he is still prepared to fight for people’s right to choose.” agreaves@ theboltonnews.co.uk