Tory vice-chair Fabricant sacked in 'knee-jerk decision'

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/apr/09/tory-vice-chair-fabricant-sacked

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A Conservative vice-chairman has been sacked by the party for suggesting it was a good thing that Maria Miller resigned and vociferously opposing the HS2 high-speed rail line.

Michael Fabricant, MP for Lichfield, said he thought it was a "knee-jerk decision" to remove him from his post. A few hours earlier, following Miller's resignation, he had tweeted that it was "about time" and appeared to endorse remarks saying the row had been derailing the party.

Well-liked by his colleagues for his outspokenness and good nature, Fabricant said he had been asked to resign and then sacked when he refused.

In typically frank style, he explained how the sacking unfolded on Twitter: "Been asked to resign as Vice Chairman, refused, so sacked over HS2 and my views on a recent Cabinet Minister. Still available 4 speeches etc."

An avid user of social media, Fabricant's tweets have sometimes sailed close to the bone with their risque puns and banter. He was recently asked by senior colleagues to tone down his public comments after he was quizzed about his sexuality and jokingly replied that he was in a relationship with a llama, though he would not reveal the gender.

"Now free to speak openly about llamas (in-joke) and other matters," Fabricant tweeted last night. "Thanks for all the lovely tweets. Look: I am still a Conservative MP and my personality and twitter fingers are undiminished! I ain't dead!" he added.