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."