French probe Nazi-theme party attended by Tory MP
French authorities have launched an investigation into a Nazi-themed party attended by Conservative MP Aidan Burley, who has been sacked as a parliamentary aide amid the furore.
The investigation is thought to have been prompted by a complaint from French pressure group SOS Racisme over the stag party in a restaurant in the ski resort of Val Thorens.
Reports suggest that one of the 12 friends attending wore a replica SS officer’s uniform, while another toasted the third reich and there were chants of “Himmler, Himmler, Himmler”.
Under French law it is a crime to wear uniforms, insignia or emblems linked to the Nazi regime, unless they are being used for a film, play or historical exhibition.
Labour has called for Prime Minister David Cameron to withdraw the whip from the Cannock Chase MP until the inquiry is concluded.
Mr Burley, who has apologised for the incident, has already been sacked from his unpaid Government job as a parliamentary private secretary over the affair.
But Labour MP Ian Austin today said the PM should go further: “David Cameron and the Tories tried to brush this under the carpet, but the scandal surrounding Aidan Burley’s disgraceful conduct is not going away.
“Surely the prime minister must take the whip off Mr Burley while this investigation is taking place.”
I personally did not participate in any alcohol-fuelled attempted toasts by other guests to the third reach. Adrian Burley
Mr Burley reiterated his apology and confirmed that an investigation had indeed been launched, but said he understood that he was “not the focus of it”.
“I do not believe I have broken any French law and have distanced myself from the behaviour of other people on the stag,” he said.
The MP sent lengthy apology letters to his constituents and the Jewish Chronicle. He told constituents: “There are no excuses for my foolish behaviour which, over the past two weeks, has caused so much distress to so many people.
“I have no sympathies whatsoever with Nazism, racism, or fascism… I personally did not participate in any alcohol-fuelled attempted toasts by other guests to the third reich.
“Nor did I participate in any chants, offensive or otherwise. As the video showed, I left the restaurant immediately when that inexcusable behaviour by other guests started.”
Meanwhile, Turkey has recalled its ambassador to Paris for consultations after France took the first step to criminalising the denial of genocide, including the 1915 mass killing of Armenians by Ottoman Turks.
Lawmakers voted overwhelmingly in favour of the draft law submitted by President Nicolas Sarkozy’s ruling party, and it will be debated next year in the senate.
Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan had warned France of economic and political consequences if the bill was passed, saying that Turkey had a “three-phase” retaliatory plan prepared.
And in Ankara protesters demonstarted outside the French Embassy, waving placards (pictured above) reading: “Genocide expert imperialist France”.
By contrast, Armenia’s Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian welcomed the news. “By adopting this bill (France) reconfirmed that crimes against humanity do not have a period of prescription and their denial must be absolutely condemned,” he said.
If the bill is passed as expected, anyone found to have denied genocides would face a £37,000 fine and a year in jail.