This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/exclusive-gaysex-party-tory-iain-corby-is-removed-from-list-of-candidates-9259890.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Exclusive: ‘Gay-sex party’ Tory Iain Corby is removed from list of candidates Exclusive: ‘Gay-sex party’ Tory Iain Corby is removed from list of candidates
(about 4 hours later)
The former head of a Tory research unit who is being investigated by Parliament’s expenses watchdog has been removed from the party’s approved list of candidates to become an MP at the next election, The Independent has learnt.The former head of a Tory research unit who is being investigated by Parliament’s expenses watchdog has been removed from the party’s approved list of candidates to become an MP at the next election, The Independent has learnt.
Iain Corby is at the centre of allegations that he spent taxpayers’ money on hotel rooms at a Conservative Party conference that were used for a sex party involving researchers and at least one MP. Embarrassing messages sent by Mr Corby on the gay-networking site Grindr have also been published; they suggest he deliberately chose attractive male members of his staff to accompany him to the conference. Iain Corby is at the centre of allegations that he spent taxpayers’ money on hotel rooms at a Conservative Party conference that were used for a sex party involving researchers and at least one MP. Embarrassing messages sent by Mr Corby on the gay-networking site Grindr have also been published; they suggest he deliberately chose attractive male members of  his staff to accompany him to the conference.
Mr Corby stood down at the end of last month as director of the Policy Research Unit (PRU). At the time, it was said that he wanted to “return to the commercial world”.Mr Corby stood down at the end of last month as director of the Policy Research Unit (PRU). At the time, it was said that he wanted to “return to the commercial world”.
But The Independent understands that his name has been struck off the list of candidates, approved by Conservative Central Office, to stand to become MPs at the next election. Senior sources added that he had also been “banned” from reapplying. The move would appear to undermine the Tories’ claims that Mr Corby’s departure from the PRU was of his own volition. But The Independent understands that his name has been struck off the list of candidates, approved by Conservative Central Office, to stand to become MPs. Senior sources added that he had also been “banned” from reapplying. This would appear to undermine the Tories’ claims that Mr Corby’s departure from the PRU was of his own volition.
The Independent understands that Downing Street and Tory whips were made aware of complaints against Mr Corby before his resignation and the publication of the Grindr conversations. The Independent understands Downing Street and Tory whips were made aware of complaints against Mr Corby before his resignation and the publication of the Grindr conversations.
Aspiring Tory MPs have to pass a series of tests before they are eligible to put themselves forward to stand. The final decision on which candidate to select is down to local party activists. Dropping Mr Corby shows the seriousness with which the Tory leadership takes the allegations of a culture of inappropriate behaviour between young male researchers and a group of MPs. Aspiring Tory MPs have to pass a series of tests before they are eligible to put themselves forward. The final decision on which candidate to select is down to local party activists.
Separately, the PRU faces an investigation by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority into claims that public money was used to pay for a suite of rooms in Manchester inappropriately. Dr Sarah Wollaston, the Tory MP for Totnes who first raised concerns over the former Deputy Speaker Nigel Evans, who was subsequently cleared of all charges, said she was “shocked” by the “rank hostility” she has received since the verdict. “I do not question the verdict. But equally, other MPs should not use this case as a pretext to interfere with the independence of the CPS,” she told The  Daily Telegraph.
Mr Corby could not be reached for comment, and a spokesman for the Tory party declined to comment.Mr Corby could not be reached for comment, and a spokesman for the Tory party declined to comment.