MP in apology over party behaviour

A Conservative MP has apologised after reports he attended a stag party with Nazi overtones.

Aidan Burley used Twitter to reveal his "deep regret" at the "inappropriate behaviour" at last weekend's bash in a French ski resort.

The Cannock Chase MP was eating and drinking with 12 friends, some of whom chanted "Hitler, Hitler, Hitler", according to the Mail on Sunday.

One toasted the "Third Reich" and another allegedly taunted a waiter for being French, the paper said.

Mr Burley tweeted: "Deeply regret inappropriate behaviour by some guests at stag party I attended and I am extremely sorry for any offence that was caused."

The article claimed that rising star Mr Burley, a senior aide to Transport Secretary Justine Greening, was filmed at a restaurant in Val Thorens, sitting next to another party goer dressed in a black SS uniform and cap.

The paper quoted a French police spokesman as saying an investigation could be launched.

The spokesman added: "Anti-Semitic and pro-Nazi crimes are taken extremely seriously in France. Anyone suspected of breaking the law in this respect can and will be prosecuted."

Shadow transport minister John Woodcock called for Mr Burley to be sacked.

"This sickening behaviour brings shame on the country and it is particularly appalling that an MP seems to have been standing by while it happened," he said. "David Cameron should stop dithering and sack him from his Government job immediately."