…right.
A Tory aide was suspended today for allegedly posting images on the internet of a fellow researcher with her face blacked up accompanied by a racist insult.
[…]
Philip Clarke, a parliamentary aide to the former attorney general Lord Lyell, was responsible for posting the photographs, according to the website, and the 24-year-old has now been suspended by the Conservatives.
The Standard reported that the photographs, which have since been removed, were accompanied by a caption which read: “Emma’s career in politics lies in tatters after she follows Ann Winterton’s lead and dresses as a ‘Nigger Minstrel’.”
Congleton MP Mrs Winterton was sacked as shadow cabinet spokeswoman for agriculture after making a racist joke at a rugby club dinner in 2002.
Another picture reportedly showed a grimacing Ms Pentreath with a caption reading: “The piece de resistance! Teeth shining, nostrils flared and eyes glowing. Truly terrifying.”
Mr Clarke, 24 said the postings were “not intended to be racist”, but added: “I behaved very stupidly and I bitterly regret it.”
A Tory spokesman said; “Racism is completely unacceptable and has no place in the Conservative party.”
In March, photographs emerged of Barnet Conservative councillor Brian Gordon, blacked up at a fancy dress party to look like Nelson Mandela.
Opposition parties accused him of racism but a spokesman for Mr Mandela said that there was no “ill intent”.
Article stolen from Ari’s facebook feed. Thanks, Ari.