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Nazi stag MP Aiden Burley 'caused deep offence', report finds Nazi stag MP Aidan Burley 'caused deep offence', report finds
(about 11 hours later)
Tory MP Aiden Burley "caused deep offence" by organising a stag party in France with a Nazi theme in 2011, an internal investigation has found. MP Aidan Burley "caused deep offence" by organising a Nazi-themed stag party, an internal Conservative Party investigation has said.
Mr Burley was sacked as a parliamentary private secretary after the incident. Mr Burley bought a Nazi uniform for the groom to wear on the last night of the four-day trip to a French ski resort.
But the publication of the party's report was delayed while French authorities considered legal action, a Conservative spokesman explained. He was sacked as a ministerial aide when the incident came to light.
Now this had been dropped, the report - which found the MP was "not a bad man" - could be released, he added. The Tory report - delayed while the French authorities considered legal action - found he was "not a bad man" but had acted in an "unacceptable" way.
Mr Burley is not a "racist or anti-Semite", the report found, but he had "acted in an unacceptable and offensive way". It said Mr Burley is not a "racist or anti-Semite" and had since apologised for his behaviour. The French authorities decided not to proceed with legal action.
The report said Mr Burley had organised a four-day ski trip to Val Thorens in the French Alps in December 2011, acting in his role as best man for a close friend. Mr Burley had organised a four-day ski trip to Val Thorens in the French Alps in December 2011, acting in his role as best man for a close friend.
During the meal on the last night of the trip, the groom wore a Nazi uniform - which had been purchased for him by the MP.During the meal on the last night of the trip, the groom wore a Nazi uniform - which had been purchased for him by the MP.
After the meal, the groom's brother gave a Nazi-themed toast, the report said.After the meal, the groom's brother gave a Nazi-themed toast, the report said.
'No political motivation''No political motivation'
The groom later gave a Nazi salute when prompted by a Mail on Sunday journalist present at the restaurant, it continued.The groom later gave a Nazi salute when prompted by a Mail on Sunday journalist present at the restaurant, it continued.
Attendees also reportedly chanted the names of prominent Nazi figures.Attendees also reportedly chanted the names of prominent Nazi figures.
The report accepted that Mr Burley had "found the toast deeply offensive", and had not been present during any Nazi-themed chanting.The report accepted that Mr Burley had "found the toast deeply offensive", and had not been present during any Nazi-themed chanting.
"Mr Burley argued strongly that the choice of costume was inspired by the British comic association with aspects of the war. He categorically denies that there was any political motivation whatsoever," it said."Mr Burley argued strongly that the choice of costume was inspired by the British comic association with aspects of the war. He categorically denies that there was any political motivation whatsoever," it said.
"We accept that there was no political motivation.""We accept that there was no political motivation."
But it added: "We conclude that he did not make his offence explicitly clear. Given the standards expected of a Member of Parliament, he should have done so.But it added: "We conclude that he did not make his offence explicitly clear. Given the standards expected of a Member of Parliament, he should have done so.
"It was appropriate for him to be sacked and reprimanded as recognition of the offence that he has caused as a Conservative Member of Parliament," the report said."It was appropriate for him to be sacked and reprimanded as recognition of the offence that he has caused as a Conservative Member of Parliament," the report said.
"His actions were stupid and offensive, and the conclusions and recommendations reflect that.""His actions were stupid and offensive, and the conclusions and recommendations reflect that."
"What he did was wrong," the Conservative spokesman said, but he had "since apologised publicly and sought to make amends, including by visiting Auschwitz"."What he did was wrong," the Conservative spokesman said, but he had "since apologised publicly and sought to make amends, including by visiting Auschwitz".
On why details of the report have not been released until now, the spokesman explained: "Publication of the report was held back pending the conclusion of investigations by the French authorities.On why details of the report have not been released until now, the spokesman explained: "Publication of the report was held back pending the conclusion of investigations by the French authorities.
"The French authorities ruled last year that they would not take any legal action against Mr Burley.""The French authorities ruled last year that they would not take any legal action against Mr Burley."