A former Dover Grammar pupil has been put forward by the Liberal Democrats to stand for the south-east in May at the European Parliament elections.

Antony Hook, a barrister, who lives in Deal, could be representing the south-east as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP), providing he generates enough votes.

Mr Hook has been put forward following the retirement of current MEP, Sharon Bowles.

The Lib Dem hopeful has spent 10 years as a lawyer and has obtained court orders leading to seizure of more than £3.5million from criminals, and has spent the last four of those years working alongside the police to prosecute serious offenders.

Mr Hook said: “If I am elected MEP I will speak up in Brussels for people in Kent and throughout the South East.

“My focus is especially on jobs and the economy.

“3 million jobs are linked to our trade with the EU.

“We must not put those at risk and we must pursue policies, such as EU trade deals with other parts of the world, that will create more jobs here in Britain.”

“Recently the CBI concluded that UK households benefit from EU membership by nearly £3,000 per year.

“That is not something we should put at risk.

“I very much believe in our EU membership and ask everyone who shares that view to support me in this election.”

Mr Hook pursued his career from Dover to the capital by attending University College London.

He was the Lib Dem’s candidate for Dover & Deal MP in 2001 and 2005.

Despite not being elected he won the biggest Liberal Democrat swing in the county both times, and in 2002 was named Young Leader of the Year by the Royal Society of Arts.

Mr Hook added: “This fairer system means that any of the main parties can win seats and a vote for any of them will carry equal weight in deciding how many. Every vote will count.”