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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Conservative councillor says EU support should be treason | Conservative councillor says EU support should be treason |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A Conservative councillor in Surrey, Christian Holliday, has launched a petition calling for support of UK membership of the European Union to be declared treason. | A Conservative councillor in Surrey, Christian Holliday, has launched a petition calling for support of UK membership of the European Union to be declared treason. |
| The petition was added to the UK government and Parliament websites on 15 October. | The petition was added to the UK government and Parliament websites on 15 October. |
| If it attracts 100,000 signatures, Parliament will be asked to consider debating it. So far, more than 1,200 people have signed it. | |
| The petition calls on Westminster to ensure the "Treason Felony Act be amended to include the following offences: | The petition calls on Westminster to ensure the "Treason Felony Act be amended to include the following offences: |
| It goes on to say: | It goes on to say: |
| "It is becoming clear that many politicians and others are unwilling to accept the democratic decision of the British people to leave the EU. | "It is becoming clear that many politicians and others are unwilling to accept the democratic decision of the British people to leave the EU. |
| "Brexit must not be put at risk in the years and decades ahead." | "Brexit must not be put at risk in the years and decades ahead." |
| The measure would take effect the day the UK leaves the EU. | The measure would take effect the day the UK leaves the EU. |
| Holliday has since been suspended by the leader of Guildford Borough Council, fellow Conservative Paul Spooner. | |
| Writing on Twitter, Mr Spooner labelled the petition "illogical nonsense from someone who clearly needs support". | |
| Asked if Theresa May viewed support for the EU as treason, a Downing Street spokeswoman said: | |
| "Different people will choose their words differently. The prime minister is very clear that the British people have made their decision." | |
| Mr Holliday's petition has been criticised by some on social media, after Mr Holliday tweeted to ask his followers to sign it. His tweet was later deleted. Comments from Twitter users @skiamakhos and @GMMcLean were typical of much of the reaction, with some people referring to the councillor's proposal as "Orwellian". | Mr Holliday's petition has been criticised by some on social media, after Mr Holliday tweeted to ask his followers to sign it. His tweet was later deleted. Comments from Twitter users @skiamakhos and @GMMcLean were typical of much of the reaction, with some people referring to the councillor's proposal as "Orwellian". |
| As Christian Holliday's name trended on Twitter, some used the opportunity to poke fun at it. | As Christian Holliday's name trended on Twitter, some used the opportunity to poke fun at it. |
| According to his website, Christian Holliday was the lead co-ordinator for the Vote Leave campaign in Guildford during the EU referendum. | According to his website, Christian Holliday was the lead co-ordinator for the Vote Leave campaign in Guildford during the EU referendum. |
| In 2010 he stood as the Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Swansea East, coming third. | In 2010 he stood as the Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Swansea East, coming third. |
| He has been approached for comment. | He has been approached for comment. |
| By Chris Bell, Social News and UGC | By Chris Bell, Social News and UGC |