Michael Mates

Michael Mates
Member of Parliament
for East Hampshire
Petersfield (1974–1983)
In office
10 October 1974  12 April 2010
Preceded byJoan Quennell
Succeeded byDamian Hinds
Personal details
Born (1934-06-09) 9 June 1934
Brentford, Middlesex, England
Political partyConservative
Spouse
Mary Rosamund Paton
(m. 1959; div. 1980)
Rosellen Bett
(m. 1982; div. 1995)
Christine Robinson-Moltke
(m. 1998)
ChildrenJames Mates
Alma materKing's College, Cambridge
Military service
Allegiance United Kingdom
Branch/service British Army
Years of service1954–1974
RankLieutenant colonel
Unit

Michael John Mates (born 9 June 1934) is a Conservative Party politician who was the Member of Parliament (MP) for the constituency of East Hampshire from 1974 to 2010. He was a minister at the Northern Ireland Office from 1992 to 1993, resigning after his support for failed businessman (and later convicted thief) Asil Nadir damaged his reputation. After his long career at Westminster, Mates lost the election for police commissioner in Hampshire in August 2012.