This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-23617555

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
MP's 'shock' at views of dinner speech group MP's 'shock' at views of dinner speech group
(35 minutes later)
Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg has said he is "shocked" by comments made by a right-wing group whose annual dinner he spoke at in May.Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg has said he is "shocked" by comments made by a right-wing group whose annual dinner he spoke at in May.
He said he would "entirely disassociate myself with the Traditional Britain Group" (TBG).He said he would "entirely disassociate myself with the Traditional Britain Group" (TBG).
The group's Facebook page calls for Doreen Lawrence, the mother of murdered black teenager Stephen Lawrence, and "millions of others" to be "requested to return to their natural homelands".The group's Facebook page calls for Doreen Lawrence, the mother of murdered black teenager Stephen Lawrence, and "millions of others" to be "requested to return to their natural homelands".
TBG denies being a far-right group.TBG denies being a far-right group.
It says it supports leaving the European Union and halting immigration but should not be "smeared as far right".It says it supports leaving the European Union and halting immigration but should not be "smeared as far right".
Posts by the group on its Facebook page criticised the decision to make Mrs Lawrence, whose son was murdered in a racially-motivated attack in 1993, a peer.Posts by the group on its Facebook page criticised the decision to make Mrs Lawrence, whose son was murdered in a racially-motivated attack in 1993, a peer.
'Smear''Smear'
It is also critical of the Conservative Party - saying its current leadership is "liberal left" and "likes" the Facebook page of far-right French politician Marine Le Pen. It praised a by-election victory by her National Front party in May as "excellent".It is also critical of the Conservative Party - saying its current leadership is "liberal left" and "likes" the Facebook page of far-right French politician Marine Le Pen. It praised a by-election victory by her National Front party in May as "excellent".
Mr Rees-Mogg, MP for North East Somerset, addressed the group's annual dinner in May.Mr Rees-Mogg, MP for North East Somerset, addressed the group's annual dinner in May.
In a statement, he said the day before he had been warned about the group's "right wing connections" and had questioned the organiser about them, who told him "it was a smear".In a statement, he said the day before he had been warned about the group's "right wing connections" and had questioned the organiser about them, who told him "it was a smear".
"I am shocked by the comments made by members of the Traditional Britain Group which I note from the Liberal Conspiracy website seem to have been made after I had addressed the dinner," Mr Rees-Mogg said."I am shocked by the comments made by members of the Traditional Britain Group which I note from the Liberal Conspiracy website seem to have been made after I had addressed the dinner," Mr Rees-Mogg said.
"I can entirely disassociate myself with the Traditional Britain Group as I have never been a member or supporter.""I can entirely disassociate myself with the Traditional Britain Group as I have never been a member or supporter."
Gregory Lauder-Frost, the group's vice-president, told the BBC that the TBG had "no links with any far-right organisations" - although it took an interest in "some overseas political parties" that "the BBC and other media outlets" described as such.Gregory Lauder-Frost, the group's vice-president, told the BBC that the TBG had "no links with any far-right organisations" - although it took an interest in "some overseas political parties" that "the BBC and other media outlets" described as such.
He said: "The TBG also is concerned with an entire range of issues. But we believe that exiting the EU and halting immigration are crucial to the survival of the British nation.He said: "The TBG also is concerned with an entire range of issues. But we believe that exiting the EU and halting immigration are crucial to the survival of the British nation.
"One appreciates this upsets the liberal-left but we should be permitted to entertain our own opinions on these matters just as they are, without being smeared as 'far-right'. It is clear that people across the political spectrums amongst the man-in-the-street are concerned about immigration.""One appreciates this upsets the liberal-left but we should be permitted to entertain our own opinions on these matters just as they are, without being smeared as 'far-right'. It is clear that people across the political spectrums amongst the man-in-the-street are concerned about immigration."
He added that the group was "a traditional conservative organisation concerned about the future of Britain and our nation" which encouraged discussion on its Facebook page by "sometimes provocative links to stories".He added that the group was "a traditional conservative organisation concerned about the future of Britain and our nation" which encouraged discussion on its Facebook page by "sometimes provocative links to stories".
But Labour MP Sheila Gilmore said it was a "serious error of judgement" by Mr Rees-Mogg and said he should make it clear that he did not support the views expressed on the group's Facebook page.