Double standards

HOW can the Conservative Party ever claim to be a modern, progressive party when it expels members for "rebelling" against alliances with extremists?

It has now been revealed that vice-president of the European Parliament, Edward McMillan-Scott, is mounting legal action against the Conservative Party for imposing a five-year ban on his membership last July.

In 2001, Jeffrey Archer was issued with a two-year ban following perjury charges, yet expressing discomfort at being forced to rub shoulders with members of extremist groups is deemed a worse offence.

Mr McMillan-Scott had the right to oppose, chiefly because the Conservative Party is now aligned with individuals who legitimise extremism and have even previously denied the Holocaust.

CATHERINE STIHLER MEP

European Parliament

Brussels