Since then he has dumped the monkey suit and been re-elected twice.

BBC: Elected mayor post 'out of favour' in North East

But whatever it is, one fact remains incontrovertible, the people of Hartlepool chose a man in a monkey suit to be their new mayor.

BBC: News | BREAKFAST WITH FROST | Interview with Robin Cook MP, leader of the House of Commons

Among the seven elected were a policeman suspended by his local force and a man in a monkey-suit.

ECONOMIST: British constitution