Tory sorry after nude women joke
Friday, 1 May 2009 1:43 PM
By politics.co.uk staff
A Tory councillor who said women should walk the streets naked to deter Islamic terrorists has been forced to apologise.
Chris Walker, a Conservative on Southend council, sent colleagues an email saying Islamic men would be forced to commit suicide if they saw a woman who is not their wife naked, and that British women should therefore walk the streets naked on Sundays.
The emails included pictures of naked women and a union flag.
Someone at the authority was clearly not amused and Mr Walker has been forced to apologise. It is unclear whether he will face any disciplinary proceedings, although Nigel Holdcroft, council leader, has asked the council's Tory whip to look into it.
"I think it is disgusting that any member of the council should have sent this type of email to all colleagues. It is most sexist and racist and very unhelpful," said the leader of the council's Independent group, Martin Terry.
Mr Walker said: "I sent it in good faith because it seemed a jolly good joke to me. When it didn't to others I immediately sent out an apology. Looking back on it I would say it was a joke. I don't think I would do it again."
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