A Tory MP who attended a stag party where guests dressed as Nazis has been sacked as a Commons aide for “offensive” behaviour and placed under investigation by British prime minister David Cameron.
Aidan Burley had expressed “deep regret” at the “inappropriate” actions of guests, including toasts to the Third Reich, with whom he partied at a French ski resort.
But he was removed from his post as a parliamentary private secretary (PPS) to transport secretary Justine Greening after fresh allegations were made linking him to the behaviour.
The Mail on Sunday, which exposed the party a week ago, said it had new information about the episode.
A Tory spokesman said: “Aidan Burley has behaved in a manner which is offensive and foolish.
“That is why he is being removed from his post as parliamentary private secretary at the Department for Transport. In light of information received the prime minister has asked for a fuller investigation into the matter to be set up and to report to him.”
The Cannock Chase MP issued an "unreserved, wholehearted and fulsome apology" over the party in a letter to the Jewish Chronicle earlier this week.
One of his friends donned a replica SS officer’s uniform and another guest reportedly toasted the “ideology and thought processes” of Adolf Hitler’s regime.
In the letter he said he wished he had left the stag party.
“What was happening was wrong and I should have completely dissociated myself from it. I had a choice, and I made the wrong choice not to leave. I apologise for this error of judgment.”
The newspaper said it had evidence that Mr Burley was aware of what was planned as he had hired the Nazi uniform worn by his friend.
Shadow transport minister John Woodcock, who is also chair of Labour Friends of Israel, said: “It speaks volumes about David Cameron’s judgment that he dithered for a week before taking action against his MP.
“People will rightly conclude he was more concerned with avoiding another round of bad stories than the gross offence caused by this repugnant behaviour.
“Now Aidan Burley must confirm whether it is true that he actually hired the SS uniform worn by his friend, as claimed today.
“Evidence that he was actually at the centre of events would be at odds with his apology claiming he failed to walk away from the party when he realised what was happening, and would leave him with extremely serious questions to answer.”
Mr Burley also came under fire from union boss Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT, who said he should be expelled from the Conservative Party.
“As far as the RMT is concerned it’s good riddance to wannabe union buster Aidan Burley whose dodgy mates tell us all we need to know about the modern Tory party,” he said.
“Treating the Nazis as some kind of sick joke isn’t just an error of judgment, it renders him unfit for public office and Cameron should have the guts to boot him out of the party.”
PA