Cameron fires MP for 'race in army' remarks

David Cameron sacked an MP from his frontbench for making "unacceptable" comments on race in the army.

Patrick Mercer was forced to quit as shadow homeland security spokesman after claiming in an online interview that a lot of "idle and useless" ethnic minority soldiers "used racism as cover for their misdemeanours". 字串9

The former officer also said being called a "black bastard" was just part of "the way it is in the army". 字串1

Mr Cameron, who has spent his 15 months as Conservative leader trying to rid his party of its "nasty" image, in part by encouraging more ethnic minority and women parliamentary candidates, said the comments were "completely unacceptable". 字串5

"We should not tolerate racism in the army or in any walk of life," he added. "Patrick Mercer is no longer a shadow minister." 字串4

Mr Mercer said he regretted "the offence I have obviously caused...what I have said is clearly misjudged".

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Political opponents seized on the row to say Mr Cameron's drive to modernise his party was superficial.

Edward Davey, chief of staff to Sir Menzies Campbell, the Liberal Democrat leader, said: "the heart and soul of the Conservative party still holds deeply unpleasant views."

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Shahid Malik, a Labour MP, said the comments exposed the "veneer" of the Tory reforms. 字串1

The Commission for Racial Equality welcomed Mr Cameron's rapid action, saying that he had sent a "clear signal that racist attitudes and comments are not acceptable".