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Nobody in Downing Street made 'loon slur' - No 10 Nobody in Downing Street made 'loon slur' - No 10
(about 1 hour later)
No 10 has denied that "anyone in Downing Street" made comments reported in several newspapers describing Tory activists as "mad, swivel-eyed loons".No 10 has denied that "anyone in Downing Street" made comments reported in several newspapers describing Tory activists as "mad, swivel-eyed loons".
The reports suggested a figure close to the PM used the term when blaming members for pressuring MPs over Europe. The reports claimed a figure close to David Cameron used the term in blaming activists for pressing MPs to amend the Queen's Speech over Europe.
Internet rumours later implicated Tory co-chairman Lord Feldman, but he denied making any "derogatory comments" and said he was taking legal advice. They sparked anger among the Conservative grassroots.
Prime Minister David Cameron supports Lord Feldman's position, No 10 said. Party co-chairman Grant Shapps said it was strange that no-one was named in the reports as having made the comment.
The comments were allegedly made at a private dinner by someone with "strong social connections" to the prime minister, The Times, Mirror and Daily Telegraph newspapers reported, although they did not name the speaker. "I wasn't there to overhear a conversation," he told the BBC, referring to the private event at which the comments are said to have been made.
Daily Telegraph political editor James Kirkup tweeted: "I stand by my story."
His paper, along with The Times and the Daily Mirror, had reported that the comments were by someone with "strong social connections" to the prime minister, although they did not name the speaker.
"There's really no problem," the person is reported to have said, referring to more than 100 Conservatives who voted to express "regret" at the lack of an EU referendum bill."There's really no problem," the person is reported to have said, referring to more than 100 Conservatives who voted to express "regret" at the lack of an EU referendum bill.
"The MPs just have to do it because the associations tell them to, and the associations are all mad swivel-eyed loons.""The MPs just have to do it because the associations tell them to, and the associations are all mad swivel-eyed loons."
Conservative associations are the constituency campaign groups made up of local party members.Conservative associations are the constituency campaign groups made up of local party members.
A No 10 spokesman said: "It is categorically untrue that anyone in Downing Street made the comments about the Conservative Party Associations and activists reported in the Times and the Telegraph. A No 10 spokesman said: "It is categorically untrue that anyone in Downing Street made the comments about the Conservative Party Associations and activists reported in the Times and the Telegraph."
"Lord Feldman has also issued a statement... categorically denying it was him. The prime minister supports Lord Feldman's position." Mr Shapps' fellow co-chairman, Lord Feldman, also issued a statement in which he said rumours claiming he was the individual in question were untrue.
The co-chairman's statement said: "There is speculation on the internet and on Twitter that the senior Conservative Party figure claimed to have made derogatory comments by the Times and the Telegraph is me. "There is speculation on the internet and on Twitter that the senior Conservative Party figure claimed to have made derogatory comments by the Times and the Telegraph is me," it said.
"This is completely untrue. I would like to make it quite clear that I did not, nor have ever described our associations in this way or in any similar manner. I am taking legal advice.""This is completely untrue. I would like to make it quite clear that I did not, nor have ever described our associations in this way or in any similar manner. I am taking legal advice."
Both Mr Shapps and Downing Street said they backed Lord Feldman's position.
Party activists had earlier expressed anger at the reports. Bob Woollard, chair of umbrella group Conservative Grassroots, told the BBC it was "absolute madness to criticise your own troops".Party activists had earlier expressed anger at the reports. Bob Woollard, chair of umbrella group Conservative Grassroots, told the BBC it was "absolute madness to criticise your own troops".
"These comments are so arrogant and pompous as to be unbelievable," he said, adding that Mr Cameron should publicly distance himself from them."These comments are so arrogant and pompous as to be unbelievable," he said, adding that Mr Cameron should publicly distance himself from them.
Mr Woollard, the former chair of Wycombe Conservative Association, said he had "a lot of sympathy with what Nigel Farage said when UKIP were criticised similarly".Mr Woollard, the former chair of Wycombe Conservative Association, said he had "a lot of sympathy with what Nigel Farage said when UKIP were criticised similarly".
In 2006, Mr Cameron described the UK Independence Party as "sort of a bunch of... fruit cakes and loonies and closet racists mostly".In 2006, Mr Cameron described the UK Independence Party as "sort of a bunch of... fruit cakes and loonies and closet racists mostly".
'Offensive and foolish'
Reacting to the latest reports, Mr Farage tweeted: "If you are a Conservative supporter who believes in UKIP ideas then your party hates you. Come and join us."Reacting to the latest reports, Mr Farage tweeted: "If you are a Conservative supporter who believes in UKIP ideas then your party hates you. Come and join us."
Mr Cameron has said he wants the UK to stay in the EU but wants to change Britain's relationship with it, taking back some powers from Brussels.Mr Cameron has said he wants the UK to stay in the EU but wants to change Britain's relationship with it, taking back some powers from Brussels.
However, 116 Conservative backbenchers supported this week's amendment to the Queen's Speech expressing regret over the lack of firm plans for a referendum. Although the motion was defeated, opponents called it a blow to the prime minister's authority.However, 116 Conservative backbenchers supported this week's amendment to the Queen's Speech expressing regret over the lack of firm plans for a referendum. Although the motion was defeated, opponents called it a blow to the prime minister's authority.
'Self-indulgence'
In the wake of the vote, Mr Cameron then said his party would give full support to a private member's bill from Eurosceptic backbencher James Wharton outlining the terms of a referendum to be held by 2017.In the wake of the vote, Mr Cameron then said his party would give full support to a private member's bill from Eurosceptic backbencher James Wharton outlining the terms of a referendum to be held by 2017.
The bill is likely to be opposed by Labour and the Liberal Democrats, who have accused their Tory coalition partners of "self-indulgence" and say the row could deter businesses from investing in the UK.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 live on Saturday morning, Mr Wharton described the comments as the result of a "lapse of judgement", saying they were "offensive and foolish".Speaking to BBC Radio 5 live on Saturday morning, Mr Wharton described the comments as the result of a "lapse of judgement", saying they were "offensive and foolish".
"It's such a shallow and inaccurate assessment of what's going on," he said, adding that it did not reflect the reasons behind MPs' decisions to back the amendment."It's such a shallow and inaccurate assessment of what's going on," he said, adding that it did not reflect the reasons behind MPs' decisions to back the amendment.
Several Conservative MPs have spoken out in praise of constituency activists. Among them was Neil Carmichael, who told 5 live the reported comments "may well have been taken completely out of context".
Another Tory MP Tracey Crouch tweeted: "I wonder if this 'aide' has ever been a member of an association, delivered a single leaflet, packed an envelope or knocked on a door?"