Two Tories suspended for cracking 'racist jokes' at Oxford

London, June 11 (ANI): Britain's Conservative Party has suspended two of its activists for cracking 'racist jokes' at Oxford University's Conservative Association.

According to The Independent, a row broke out after electoral candidates were asked to tell "inappropriate" jokes during hustings for junior officer positions on Sunday afternoon.

Nick Gallagher, the current publications officer, reportedly said: "What do you say when you see a television moving around in the dark? Put it down, you n*****, or I'll shoot you!"

Gallagher, who is also general editor of the association's magazine Blueprint, was allegedly asked to tell the most racist joke he knew and name his least favourite minority.

A party spokesman said: "People who behave in this disgusting and reprehensible way have no place in the Conservative Party."

Among the jokes bandied around during what was alleged to have been an alcohol-fuelled meeting was a remark about a black person hanging in a family tree.

According to Cherwell, the student newspaper, one Oxford University Conservative Association (OUCA) committee member resigned following the controversy.

Anthony Boutall, the president of the association, said he would suspend any members found to have made racist remarks.

"A disciplinary committee (DC) has been called for Saturday and, while I do not have the power to prejudge the decision of the DC, I can give a personal pledge that if these individuals are found guilty, I shall use my powers to their fullest capacity, making it my top priority to ensure that they play no further part in the association," the paper quoted Boutall, as saying.

Election results were due to be announced at a dinner this evening.

The association, founded in 1924, is one of the oldest and largest student political organisations in the country. It has a current membership of almost 700 and past presidents include Margaret Thatcher, Edward Heath and shadow foreign secretary William Hague. (ANI)