Fox News hires Allen West for his 'valuable point of view'

Fox News announced on Thursday that it had hired former Rep. Allen West (R-FL) as a contributor to the conservative network.

"Representative West’s congressional and military experience along with his fearless approach to voicing key issues will provide a valuable point of view to the FOX News lineup," Fox News Vice President Bill Shine said in a statement obtained by The Washington Post.

Earlier this year, the tea party star began hosting a show with the conservative online network Pajamas Media after his 2012 loss to Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-FL).

West is expected to fill an ideological hole at Fox News that was left after the network severed ties with former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) earlier this year.