Storm over new Tory's baby rapist comments
NEW Tory Sam Smith has immediately caused a political storm – after saying Liberal Democrat policy was a bigger danger to children than a baby rapist. The outrageous comments were posted on an internet forum hosted by Welwyn Hatfield MP Grant Shapps on Fr
NEW Tory Sam Smith has immediately caused a political storm - after saying Liberal Democrat policy was a bigger danger to children than a baby rapist.
The outrageous comments were posted on an internet forum hosted by Welwyn Hatfield MP Grant Shapps on Friday.
Mr Smith was criticising the Lib Dems for supporting soft drug laws.
Under his user name, Vordrak, he wrote: "Liberal policy poses a greater threat to our children than Tanya French does." He was referring to the Hatfield woman jailed, along with her boyfriend, for raping a 12-week-old girl. The comments were removed from the message board later that afternoon - but not before being viewed by a number of people.
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Tony Skottowe, leader of the Lib Dem group on Welwyn Hatfield Council, described the comments as "verminous bits of bile".
He said: "Mr Smith's comments were frankly despicable and if that is his attitude then the Conservatives are welcome to him, they deserve each other!
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"Mind you, his comments quickly got removed from the website so perhaps they are having second thoughts already."
Labour parliamentary candidate Mike Hobday was equally appalled.
He said: "If this is the level of political debate Sam Smith believes helps us to deal with the drugs problems in Britain today, then frankly the Conservative party is welcome to him.
"I do not support drug legalisation, but I certainly don't believe in comparing those that do to baby rapists.
"No wonder the Conservative party was so embarrassed about its new recruit that it deleted his comments from the forum."
Mr Smith today (Tuesday) told the WHT he would be happy to answer any questions on the issue.
But, at time of writing, he has failed to respond to our questions.
