| Biography | Shirley, Lady Porter, styled between 1991 and 2003 as Dame Shirley Porter, is a British politician who led Westminster City Council in London, representing the Conservative Party. She was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1991 by John Major after delivering victory in Westminster for the Conservatives in the 1990 elections, but was stripped of this title in 2003.
While leader of Westminster City Council, Porter oversaw the "Building Stable Communities" policy later described as the "homes for votes scandal" and was consequently accused of gerrymandering. The policy was judged illegal by the district auditor, and a surcharge of £27m levied on her in 1996. She eventually settled in 2004, paying a final settlement of £12.3 million. |