Ex-minister ‘touched thigh’

Conor Burns was sacked as a Conservative minister and suspended as a Tory MP after he was seen touching a young man’s thigh, it has been claimed.

Witnesses told the BBC the incident happened in the early hours of Tuesday morning at the Hyatt Regency hotel bar during the party’s conference in Birmingham. Burns denies any wrongdoing.

Witnesses told the BBC the ex-minister had his hand on the man’s thigh, and that there were several onlookers. The man allegedly being touched is not thought to have made a complaint, however.

Allies of the MP claim he had injured his ribs and was on heavy medication to manage the pain, which made the effects of alcohol worse.

A Tory Party source said: “The prime minister has been clear that the highest standards in public life must be maintained.”

Meanwhile, the Sunday Times last night reported Burns will be given a knighthood in Boris Johnson’s resignation honours.