A fiery UK conservative candidate dubbed the “British Sarah Palin” by newspapers and opponents for her outspoken socially conservative views is half Maltese.

Maria Hutchings, 51, is a candidate in a by-election to replace disgraced Liberal Democrat MP Chris Huhne in the Eastleigh by-election.

Ms Hutchings disagrees with David Cameron’s same-sex marriage proposals and says she would vote to reduce the 24-week limit on abortions “as far as possible”. She has raised eyebrows over her criticism of state schools and is also against EU membership.

Ms Hutchings is the daughter of a British Royal Fusilier, who died when she was 16, and a Maltese woman named Victoria, now aged 76.

Full story in The Times

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