Explicit images posted on Tory councillor's Facebook profile

Published by Jon Land for 24dash.com in Local Government

The Tory Party's drive to recruit new "friends" through Facebook sparked political embarrassment for one member today - after porn pics were posted on his profile.

Naked snaps of two people, clearly being very "friendly" were put on the profile of Simon Renwick, a Conservative councillor for Fylde Borough Council in Lancashire.

Mr Renwick, 32, a councillor for nine years, had asked voters to look him up on the social networking site, as a way of reaching younger voters.

But someone then tricked him into allowing them access to his profile page as a friend to post the sleazy snaps.

Political opponents have said they are "disappointed" and asked for "higher standards of behaviour".

But Mr Renwick suggested political skulduggery may be responsible. The day after the explicit snaps were put on his profile, the local paper was tipped off.

Earlier this year Tory leader David Cameron fronted a drive to recruit new "friends" to the Conservative Party via Facebook.

Mr Renwick removed the explicit photos the day after they appeared and ensured nobody could access his profile unless he allowed it from now on.

"I may have been a bit naive having an open profile but I was just trying to engage in an open and friendly way," Mr Renwick said.

"I think someone from the opposition has asked to be my friend and then posted this picture.

"I have learned an important lesson.

"This just shows the kind of dirty tricks politicians will go to.

"As a local politician I am open with the residents I represent. It is a shame that I've now had to take away an open profile to stop this happening again. The result of this negative and dirty politics ultimately is less engagement and less opportunity to make contact with politicians."

Fylde Council is run by the Tories with Independents forming the main opposition.