EXCLUSIVE Another Tory Race Muppet? Nigel Evans Protests Too Much

Nigel Evans protests:

27 April 2007

Mr Evans finds the story printed today by the Daily Mirror distasteful, beneath contempt and will not be commenting other than to say the following:

"This was a Rotary charity function held in November 2006 which was a fancy dress party with a Caribbean theme. Rotarians and their guests came in all sorts of Caribbean themed costumes, taking the mick out of themselves, to help raise over £2000 for local and international charities.

"The funds were distributed to Water Aid in Africa which provides wells for local communities in order that people do not have to walk miles for clean water, an Aids Hospital in Uganda, a Mobility Project in Mauritius and a Local Hospice in Pendle."

Nigel looks forward to supporting the excellent work of those charities mentioned and others, as he has done over the past 15 years as an MP.

Presumably this isn't about his pleas for Moira Stewart?

No, it's this:

TORY MP AND BLACKED-UP FRIENDS
By Gary Anderson 27/04/2007
ANOTHER day, another Tory buffoon. This time it's Nigel Evans, happily posing for this tasteless snap with "blacked-up" friends in afro wigs and grass skirts.
The MP, wearing a grin even cheesier than his shirt, draped his arms over his friends at the Caribbean party in his constituency.
And amazingly, rather than regretting his poor judgment, the MP for Ribble Valley, Lancs, proudly showed it on his website.
Evans, 49, who served as Shadow Welsh Secretary, said: "They were dressed as Caribbean women.Have you seen the picture?"
In a later statement he said: "This was a Rotary charity function in 2006, a fancy dress party raising £2,000 for charities."
It is the second time in as many months Tories have been caught "blacking-up" after councillor Brian Gordon dressed as Nelson Mandela in a bone necklace.

Nigel has me wondering certainly. So I fill in his contact form:

Saw the item in The Mirror and checked your website. I have found your statement. But I cannot find the picture. So if you find the story distasteful and beneath contempt can you please explain why this innocent picture has now been suppressed?

I will be blogging about the story and am undecided which line to take but I will happily include your response to this question if and when it is provided.

We'll have to see whether that brings a response.