Possible Clues:

• Exploitative outsider – rug buyer?
• Politician with no local connections to Persian, for instance, gets the sack - it's a bit of a bug?
• Political adventurer
• Unscrupulous political figure provides cover for poor beggar
• Opportunist (from the North after the American Civil War?)
• Criticise heavily speciality shown by little German opportunist
• Cover to sack Gerard as he's politically incorrect perhaps
• The sort of opportunist vicar Peter appears to be!
• Visiting politician who hopes to take Axminster?
• Mini breakfast served up in favourite pub for political opportunist