Tories banish student after Maddie disgrace
A YOUNG Tory activist has been expelled from the political party after dressing up as Madeleine McCann at a New Year's Eve bash.
Matt Lewis, who is believed to be from Newcastle, wrote on internet site Facebook that his fancy dress costume would include a blonde wig, pink pyjamas, a teddy bear and a "vial of fake blood".
The reference has angered the parents of missing five-year-old Madeleine.
Now the student, who last month resigned as chairman of Staffordshire Conservative Future in protest at internal reforms, has been thrown out of the national party.
Tory chairman Caroline Spelman said: "This offensive behaviour is not only shocking, but intolerable and completely unacceptable. There is no place for this sort of person in the party."
Mr Lewis, who is thought to be in his early 20s and studying at The University Of London, posted the comments on his Facebook site.
Other Conservative Future (CF) members then joined in with the joke, with one responding: "Is this a cunning (Baldrick-style) plan to obtain the reward money?"
Following the party, Mr Lewis told another 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 that another guest was dressed as Baby P, the toddler who died following horrific abuse.
Ms Cox, from the Newcastle And Keele branch of CF, suggested Mr Lewis may have "pulled a Prince Harry" – alluding to the royal's decision to wear a Nazi uniform to a fancy dress party in 2005.
Clarence Mitchell, a spokesman for the McCann family, praised the Conservatives' "swift and appropriate" action. He said: "His actions are not only disgraceful, they will also cause great hurt to Kate and Gerry.
"It is a complete disgrace that Madeleine's name and image should be made fun of in this way."
Mr Lewis, who joined the campaign trial during last year's Crewe and Nantwich by-election, last night apologised to the McCanns.
He said: "I completely regret my behaviour that night and since, and cannot express how sorry I am for the incredible hurt I have caused.
"While my actions were not meant to be malicious, I fully understand the pain they have brought."
8 Comments
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by Shaun Bennett, Blurton
Monday, January 12 2009, 12:19PM
“Emma, what a very silly thing to say. You can't judge an entire collective of people who happen to share political views by the specific actions of a few.
Think about if one of your relatives had said something inappropriate like this. Should be assume that the whole Emma family is tainted by the scandal and that they are all idiots? I can only presume that you are using this issue for your own party advantage!
And wasn't it Labour who gloated about the world trade centre attack saying that it was "a very good day" to bury bad news??? Is it therefore 'another reason' not to vote Labour???
Don't be so silly!”
by Emma, stoke
Sunday, January 11 2009, 7:02PM
“Jeez, prats like these end up trying to get us to vote for them to run the country - yet another great reason not to vote tories. What a plank - lets hope he never has kids himself.”
by WM, Stoke
Sunday, January 11 2009, 5:05PM
“"i think he should be put in a hospital ward as he will not survive in prison.."
Erm, nobody is going to hospital or prison for dressing up distastefully at a fancy dress party. lol.
Talk about overreaction.
The most shocking thing is that somebody would decide NOT to bring children into this world over a complete stranger's behaviour at a fancy dress party. Sheesh, go live in Gaza and get some perspective on life.”
by Sean, Bradwell
Sunday, January 11 2009, 2:35PM
“Tim... most political parties are actually madeup of prize prats.. especially the conservatives!
That being said; this guy is a prime example of the idiots we have walking our streets. When I was at university.. the population was made up of bright young adults.. I have no idea what has happened to not only the population but the quality of Students that staffs seem to be allowing in.. If he cannot understand what a stupid idea this was and how painful it would be to just about every parent in the UK, than clearly he isn't bright enough or deserving enough for a place at any university.
Perhaps this idiot should think about making amends by fund raising for the campaign or highlighting their plight in a better way than making fun of this poor girl.
A shameful day to him and his friends who took part!”
by brian, leek
Sunday, January 11 2009, 11:53AM
“Surely political parties are exactly the right place for prize prats”