Dugher calls on Shapps to re-open ‘Nazi stag party’ inquiry

Dear Grant,

Last week, more than two years after the events it discusses took place, the Conservative party published Lord Gold’s report into the stag party held in December 2011 in Val Thorens at which Aidan Burley MP was best man, and at which a Nazi uniform obtained by Mr Burley was worn, Nazi salutes were given, a Nazi-themed toast was raised and the names of prominent Nazi figures were chanted.According to Lord Gold’s report, Mr Burley claimed that he was not present at the pub at which the names of prominent Nazi figures were chanted. The report said “we accept this statement”.

However, today’s Mail on Sunday has published photographs which appear to prove that Mr Burley did in fact go to the pub with the rest of the stag party, along with a recording of a conversation with Mr Burley reportedly made inside the pub.  This represents new evidence which the Conservative party, astonishingly, never requested from the Mail on Sunday in the course of conducting its inquiry. The Conservative party’s report concludes that Mr Burley was “stupid and offensive”, but these weekend reports strongly suggest that he has also lied.

Given that this new material flatly contradicts the account which was given by Mr Burley, and which was accepted by Lord Gold and the Conservative party, the conclusions of Lord Gold’s report are now untenable.  I therefore ask that you reopen the inquiry to consider this new evidence into Mr Burley’s behaviour and that you revisit your conclusion that no further action needs to be taken against him.

Particularly at this time when the whole country comes together to mark Holocaust Memorial Day, the public will be rightly appalled by these latest revelations about the behaviour of Mr Burley. It is simply not good enough for the Conservative party to turn a blind eye and do nothing.

In view of the public interest in this matter, I am releasing this letter to the media.

Yours sincerely,

Michael Dugher MP
Labour Vice-Chair
Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office