Disgraced MP Mike Hancock is to stand for Parliament again , months after being forced out of the Lib Dems after a string of sex scandals . The veteran Portsmouth South MP resigned from Nick Clegg 's party after being forced publicly to apologise to a vulnerable woman constituent for making improper sexual advances . But he has now vowed to stand as an independent candidate , continuing a colourful political career , which has included an affair with a woman accused of being a Russian spy . Scroll down for video . Disgraced MP Mike Hancock is to stand for Parliament again , months after being forced out of the Lib Dems after a string of sex scandals . After being removed from the Lib Dem party , it was expected that Mr Hancock would walk away from the seat he has held since 1997 . But the 68-year-old has vowed to stand again , despite major heart operations and spending time in a mental health unit . He told BBC News : ' I 'm going to stand for sure , I 've made this decision because my health is so much better and I think I owe it to a lot of people who have supported me . 'Once you 've been an MP for as long as I have it 's hard to just walk away . ' I think if enough people realise that I 'm like everyone , I 'm a fallible human being who made a mistake but paid a very high price for it ... I think I could [ win ] . ' It pitches him against Lib Dem candidate Gerald Vernon-Jackson , who faces a challenge from the Tories and Ukip . Mr Hancock was first elected as an SDP MP in the city in a by-election in 1984 , but he lost the seat to the Tories in 1987 . He was elected as a Lib Dem a decade later . In June last year Mr Hancock gave an 'unreserved ' apology at London 's High Court over an 'inappropriate and unprofessional friendship ' with a single mother known as Annie , who had sought his assistance as her MP and local councillor . Solicitors for the woman said the apology was part of a 'confidential settlement ' in which the 'vulnerable woman ' , who suffers from mental health problems , brought a claim for damages against him . Lib Dem leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg had previously called on Mr Hancock to resign his membership and said he had 'no future ' in the party . He was first elected as an SDP MP in the city in a by-election in 1984 , but he lost the seat to the Tories in 1987 . He was elected as a Lib Dem a decade later . Ekaterina Zatuliveter , accused of being a Russia spy , had a four-year affair with Mr Hancock . ■ In 2011 , a Russian woman accused of being a spy admitted having a four-year affair with Hancock while she worked as his researcher . Ekaterina Zatuliveter ( right ) revealed the relationship in court in 2011 as she successfully fought deportation after it was claimed she targeted the MP as part of a ‘ honeytrap ’ operation . During her time working with Hancock , she even moved into his London flat . ■ Earlier that year , Hancock admitted having a ‘ close and affectionate relationship ’ with a 17-year-old girl . The pair met at his office when she inquired about undertaking work experience . ‘ It was a very affectionate relationship – it was strong but not sexual , ’ he said . ‘ There was contact between us – a kiss and cuddle but no more than that. ’ ■ In 2010 it was claimed that Hancock had helped another Russian woman , 25-year-old Ekaterina Paderina , to stay in Britain after she ran into visa problems in the Nineties . Miss Paderina ’ s ex-husband said the MP went out of his way to help the blonde after she paid several visits to his office . ■ Hancock was also accused of having two affairs with colleagues during the Eighties and Nineties . The marriage of Liz McCann , a Lib Dem councillor and a mother of three , broke up as a result of their relationship . ‘ I had heard about his reputation for women which goes before him in the party , ’ she said . Hancock was also said to have had a six-year affair with Daphne Sparshatt , his constituency secretary . She told a newspaper : ‘ He ’ s no great looker , he ’ s not God ’ s gift to women , but he charms his way in. ’ ■ There have also been allegations that Hancock had a relationship with Daniela Aura Dobre , 20 , whom he met during an aid trip to a village near Bucharest in October 1990 . She claimed : ‘ We were very close . I miss him very much . 'He ’ s a kind and charming man . He came on many trips , first in October 1990 , then Christmas that year , then in January , March and April or May . I saw him each time . ’
Portsmouth South MP vows to stand against Lib Dem candidate in city . Resigned January , March after apologising for improper sexual advances . Health is 'much better ' after heart ops and spell in mental health unit .