Young Conservative gets boot for costume

LONDON, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- The British Conservative Party expelled a youth leader Friday for attending a New Year's Eve party dressed as missing 4-year-old Madeleine McCann.

Matthew Lewis apologized to Kate and Gerry McCann in a brief statement, The Independent reported. A spokesman for the couple said the costume was offensive "almost beyond belief."

The party expelled Lewis and two other people. Lewis had been the chairman of the Staffordshire branch of Conservative Future until last month.

The party Lewis attended had a "bad taste" theme. In a Facebook entry, he described his costume as pink pajamas and a blonde wig with a teddy bear and a "vial of fake blood" as accessories.

Madeleine McCann was last seen in May 2007 in her parents' holiday apartment at a seaside resort in Portugal. The McCanns left her sleeping with her brother and sister while they ate with friends at a tapas bar within sight of the apartment.

Portuguese police closed the investigation last year. The McCanns, who were named as suspects, insist their daughter is still alive, kidnapped by a pedophile ring, thenewspaper said.