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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| McCanns' anger at Tory activist | McCanns' anger at Tory activist |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Kate and Gerry McCann have condemned a Conservative activist who boasted about dressing up as Madeleine McCann at a party, calling his actions "offensive". | Kate and Gerry McCann have condemned a Conservative activist who boasted about dressing up as Madeleine McCann at a party, calling his actions "offensive". |
| Matthew Lewis has now apologised "unreservedly" to the McCanns. He was expelled from the party after telling friends of his New Year party exploits. | Matthew Lewis has now apologised "unreservedly" to the McCanns. He was expelled from the party after telling friends of his New Year party exploits. |
| Tory chairman Caroline Spelman said the Conservative Future activist's actions were "completely unacceptable". | Tory chairman Caroline Spelman said the Conservative Future activist's actions were "completely unacceptable". |
| Madeleine was three in 2007 when she vanished during a holiday in Portugal. | |
| 'Regret' | 'Regret' |
| Despite a worldwide hunt, there has been no trace of her since. | Despite a worldwide hunt, there has been no trace of her since. |
| In a statement released on Friday, Mr Lewis said: "I unreservedly apologise to Mr and Mrs McCann for my actions. | In a statement released on Friday, Mr Lewis said: "I unreservedly apologise to Mr and Mrs McCann for my actions. |
| "I completely regret my behaviour that night and since, and cannot express how sorry I am for the incredible hurt I have caused. | "I completely regret my behaviour that night and since, and cannot express how sorry I am for the incredible hurt I have caused. |
| "Whilst my actions were not meant to be malicious, I fully understand the pain they have brought." | "Whilst my actions were not meant to be malicious, I fully understand the pain they have brought." |
| This offensive behaviour is not only shocking but intolerable and completely unacceptable Caroline Spelman | This offensive behaviour is not only shocking but intolerable and completely unacceptable Caroline Spelman |
| Mr Lewis, who is believed to studying in London, told friends on the Facebook website that he planned to attend a party dressed as Madeleine McCann. | Mr Lewis, who is believed to studying in London, told friends on the Facebook website that he planned to attend a party dressed as Madeleine McCann. |
| He said his costume would include "pink pyjamas, a teddy bear and a vial of fake blood". | He said his costume would include "pink pyjamas, a teddy bear and a vial of fake blood". |
| After the party, Mr Lewis used the website to tell another Conservative Future member that "there was a brief moment when I thought I might have gone too far with elements of the costume but it was OK". | After the party, Mr Lewis used the website to tell another Conservative Future member that "there was a brief moment when I thought I might have gone too far with elements of the costume but it was OK". |
| Mr Lewis was listed by Conservative Future as its branch chairman in Staffordshire although he is reported to have resigned from the position last month. | Mr Lewis was listed by Conservative Future as its branch chairman in Staffordshire although he is reported to have resigned from the position last month. |
| Staffordshire Conservative Future's website now lists the post of chairman as "vacant". | Staffordshire Conservative Future's website now lists the post of chairman as "vacant". |
| He was pictured campaigning alongside Tory leader David Cameron during last year's Crewe and Nantwich by-election. | He was pictured campaigning alongside Tory leader David Cameron during last year's Crewe and Nantwich by-election. |
| A spokesman for the McCanns said his actions were "offensive almost beyond belief". | A spokesman for the McCanns said his actions were "offensive almost beyond belief". |
| Kate and Gerry McCann are demanding an apology | Kate and Gerry McCann are demanding an apology |
| "His actions are not only disgraceful in themselves, they will also cause great hurt to Kate and Gerry," he said. | "His actions are not only disgraceful in themselves, they will also cause great hurt to Kate and Gerry," he said. |
| "It is a complete disgrace that Madeleine's name and image should be made fun of in this way." | "It is a complete disgrace that Madeleine's name and image should be made fun of in this way." |
| But the spokesman praised the "swift and appropriate" action taken by the Conservatives against Mr Lewis. | But the spokesman praised the "swift and appropriate" action taken by the Conservatives against Mr Lewis. |
| In a statement, Conservative Central Office said there was "no place for this sort of person in the party". | In a statement, Conservative Central Office said there was "no place for this sort of person in the party". |
| "This offensive behaviour is not only shocking but intolerable and completely unacceptable," Mrs Spelman said. | "This offensive behaviour is not only shocking but intolerable and completely unacceptable," Mrs Spelman said. |