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Young Tories joke about Maddy and Baby P
Joe Murphy, Political Editor09.01.09
A TORY activist was expelled today for joking about dressing up as Madeleine McCann at a fancy dress party where another guest went as Baby P.
Matthew Lewis said his costume included a blonde wig, “pink pyjamas, a teddy bear and a vial of fake blood”.
In a sickening boast on his Facebook site, he said he wore the costume for a New Year's Eve fancy dress party. He said another guest dressed up as Baby P, the 17-month-old boy killed after suffering horrific abuse in Haringey.
Two other members of the Tory youth organisation Conservative Future were also being expelled tonight for joining in his tasteless joke.
One replied: “Is this a cunning (Baldrick style) plan to obtain the reward money?”
Tory chairwoman Caroline Spelman called their behaviour “totally unacceptable”.
She also wrote a letter of apology to Kate and Gerry McCann, the parents of Madeleine, who was three when she vanished on holiday in Portugal in May 2007.
“This offensive behaviour is not only shocking but intolerable and completely unacceptable,” she said in a statement. “There is no place for this sort of person in the party.”
Mr Lewis, believed to be in his early twenties, is a student at Queen Mary, University of London. He was chairman of Staffordshire Conservative Future until last month when he quit in protest at internal party reforms. Images on the group's website show him campaigning with David Cameron for last year's Crewe and Nantwich by-election.
Mr Lewis was not answering his mobile phone this afternoon, but most of the exchanges were still visible on his Facebook profile. Page snapshots showing other comments were featured on the Tory Bear blog.
On New Year's Day, Mr Lewis told another CF member, Flick Cox, online: “There was a brief moment when I thought I might have gone too far with elements of the costume, but it was ok.”
He added: “There may not be photos, I don't think anyone wants to risk being associated with them!”
Ms Cox suggested that he may have “pulled a Prince Harry” — a reference to the prince's decision to wear a Nazi uniform to a fancy dress party in 2005.
She said she would “hate to have to end our friendship when I become an MP” if he got into trouble over the outfit.
Now that really is sick!!!'
Flick Cox (Keele) wrote at 4.10pm on 1 January: hey chicken how did the Maddie outfit go down! I rang a straw poll at my party about it and they have decided that I have some really sick friends!!
Matt Lewis (Queen Mary University of London) wrote at 4.30pm the same day: There was a brief moment when I thought I'd gone too far with elements of the costume, but it was ok. Someone else was Baby P
FC: Oh My God!!! Now baby P really is sick!!! why, what was the costume like? I know I shall regret saying this but i can't wait to see the photo's!!! x
ML: I'll tell you another time! There may not be photos, I don't think anyone wants to risk being associated with them!
FC: Im quite glad about that, i would hate to have to end our friendship when i become an MP because you had pulled a prince Harry!!! LOL x
Reader views (10)
G Toverit, this is neither the time or the place.
- Robert Bishop, St Monans, Fife
EDITED by admin @ 15.54 on September 25 2009
Spirit/Tone
- G.Toverit, Manchester, UK
Yet another photograph of Cameron with a disgraced tory rat. If we were to believe the old adage, { you will know a man by the company he keeps,} then Cameron would have to be off your guest list.
- James Hennessy, london england
Oh dear. Dave Camoron will have to be even more oily than normal to get over this one. Time for Theresa May to remind the Tories of how they appear to normal people.
- R Dent, Ealing England
Just think these idiots want to run the country. What a sick mess they are. Get rid of them
- D.J.Lamb, Lakewood, CO
Are child-like people really fit to lead the way in politics, government and seemingly biased broadcasting?
- Peter Seekings-Foster, Mildenhall, Suffolk.
What is it with these young tory toffs that would make this sick sense of humour remotely funny. It seems at the heart of the tory party both young and old, there is still a nastiness that is proving impossible to eradicate.
- James Hennessy, london england
Now this is exactly the kind of behaviour we have come to love and expect from the Tories. Does not matter how much David and the Bullingdon Club wrap themselves in the Compassionate Conservative colours (green), the rest of the blue-rinse brigade (old and young alike) will always manage to bring them back down again.
Cannot wait for the inevitable Tory sleaze stories to start again once they are in office.
- Gary S, London
How disgusting this idiot is,and his friend.I hope the Conservative party strike him off their list.Sickening behaviour.
- Maura Casey, London UK
This is utterly deplorable how could anyone be depraved enough to even think up such a thing. These people should be severely reprimanded for their actions and someone should have a serious look into the state of their mental health.
- E Mc, Luton UK
