26/06/2003

Disgraced Tory ousted from council post

Disgraced Conservative Party councillor, Neville Sanders has been ousted from his post as Peterborough City Council leader over comments he made about the suicide of a Royal Irish Regiment (RIR) soldier.

Mr Sanders, 72, caused controversy after dismissing a call for support for an inquiry into the death of RIR soldier Paul Cochrane, saying members of the armed forces got killed "be it by accident or design, that is what they are paid for".

He also caused further fury following an interview with the Belfast Telegraph newspaper in which he hit out at the "lazy Irish".

The incident broke following an appeal by Carrickfergus Council, in a letter to every UK council, calling for support for an inquiry into the death of Paul Cochrane who shot himself at Drumaad barracks in Co Armagh in 2001 after complaining about suffering abuse.

Last night's vote, which Mr Sanders did not attend, was passed by a clear majority of 10 votes.

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