Latest: City council adviser excluded over Madeleine McCann stunt
A POLITICAL assistant employed by Stoke-on-Trent City Council has been temporarily excluded by the Conservative Party.
Felicity Cox, who is also head of a Keele University Tory group, has been suspended as part of an investigation into a party activist's decision to dress up as Madeleine McCann.
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City council adviser Felicity Cox
Matt Lewis, a previous chairman of Staffordshire Conservative Future, was expelled from the party after writing on an internet social networking site that he intended to go to a New Year's Eve event dressed as the missing five-year-old.
It is alleged he exchanged online messages with Ms Cox, the chairman of Keele University's Conservative Future branch, who also has links to the party's Newcastle and Keele group. She has now been temporarily excluded from the Conservative Party while officials look into the matter. It is not known how long the investigation by the party's central office will take.
Ms Cox is paid by Stoke-on-Trent City Council to work with the Conservatives and Independent Alliance and help portfolio holders put together policy.
Owen Meredith, chairman of Newcastle Conservative Association, said: "I can confirm that she has been excluded, that it still stands, and that she is not involved with the party in any sort of official capacity or otherwise."
In an online conversation, Mr Lewis is said to have told Ms Cox: "There was a brief moment when I thought I might have gone too far, but it was OK."
She is alleged to have replied he may have "pulled a Prince Harry", a reference to the royal's decision to wear a Nazi uniform to a party in 2005.
Party chairman Caroline Spelman said last week about Mr Lewis's actions:"There is no place for this sort of person in the party."
The expulsion was praised by a spokesman for the McCann family.
Mr Lewis apologised, saying his actions had not meant to be malicious.
For more on this story see tomorrow's Sentinel
5 Comments
by Lazarus, staffs
Monday, January 19 2009, 5:04PM
“Everyones entitled to an opinion, and I dont believe the McCanns personally, so too parody or too ridicule the situation is brave, but given the position they occupy within the Community, not the McCanns these Tory types perhaps it would have been best left to a Comedian, or an established satirist and commentator to draw attention too this oblique situation. I do agree , however that the pair are probably better off seeking a career in Comedy, Satire or the like, they obviously have no penchant for Politics, silly children, dont grow up too soon though eh!!!”
by Brian, Newcastle
Monday, January 19 2009, 4:11PM
“Carol - i don't need a lesson in geography. Did i refer to my tax money, no. Did Ms Cox rebuke her friend for dressing up as Madelaine? No she didn't. Did she report it? No she didn't. Is she fit to represent anyone - no she isn't. Should taxpayers being paying for her views? No they shouldn't.”
by Carol Beardsall, Stoke -on-Trent
Monday, January 19 2009, 3:55PM
“When did Newcastle move into Stoke - on-Trent? Brian seems to think that he is paying for Ms Cox's consultancy. Although I agree that she should have her consultancy cancelled if she is found guilty of misconduct. My understanding of the original complaint is that it was a MAN not a woman who went dressed as Maddy and he has been dealt with as he should have been for his gross stupidity and insensitivity. Until it is proven that Ms Cox is guilty of any wrong doing I feel that suspension is necessary and prudent for the reputation of everyone involved.”
by Paul, Trentham
Monday, January 19 2009, 1:52PM
“A permanently employed officer of the Council would be summarily dismissed for this.
Do the same disciplinary rules apply to consultants, political assistants or any temporarily contracted employees appointed on the whim of senior officers or councillors?”
by Brian, Newcastle
Monday, January 19 2009, 1:10PM
“The City Council pay this corpulent Tory to advise them do they - brilliant use of taxpayers money. I'm sure 'Felicity' isn't short of a bob or two without us paying for her judgment which is evidently less than sound!”