CONDUCT OF BARNET CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLORS BRIAN GORDON AND MIKE FREER

Early day motion 1231, tabled 27 March 2007 by Andrew Dismore (Labour). Signed by 24 members.

That this House condemns the behaviour of Barnet Conservative Councillor Brian Gordon, who blacked his face in a style reminiscent of the Black and White Minstrel Show, rightly dropped from the television for being offensive, donned a pastiche of African traditional dress and claimed to be `Councillor Nelson Mandela' as a pathetic and offensive attempt at fancy dress; believes this to be grossly insulting to one of the world's greatest living statesmen; notes that this appalling conduct was defended by Barnet Conservative Council Leader and prospective parliamentary candidate Mike Freer; sees this as symptomatic of Conservative Party attitude to race and community cohesion; and calls upon the Leader of the Conservative Party to take immediate action to withdraw the Conservative Whip and membership for these two councillors.

Signatures by party: Labour 23, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.