Tory councillor suspended for petition suggesting opposing Brexit should be an act of TREASON

A TORY party councillor has been suspended after creating an online petition to make opposing Brexit an act of treason that would potentially carry a life sentence for supporters of the EU.

Christian Holliday's petition attracted more than 1,250 signatures in four days, before he was suspended yesterday afternoon by his local party.

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This petition called for the Treason Felony Act to be amended to make it a crime to support EU membership or to conspire with foreign powers to make the UK or any part of it become a member of the 28-nation bloc.

But it was denounced as "medieval" by the Lib Dems and dismissed as "completely mad" by the Conservative leader of Guildford Borough Council in Surrey, Paul Spooner, who suspended him until a meeting in November.

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But the Guildford councillor told The Sun he accepted the decision even though it left him “disappointed”.

Mr Holliday said: “They were concerned that it might reflect badly on them.

“The petition was made to stimulate debate and draw a line for the Remainers who seem unwilling to accept the result.

"It is frustrating as a democrat to see so many - from all parties - who wish to seek to subvert the will of the British people.

“I was slightly disappointed to be suspended but I totally respect my group leader’s decision and I am happy to talk about the matter with them in early November.”

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Local Tories distanced themselves from it in a statement: "Guildford Conservative Association is aware of the petition. This does not represent the views of the local Conservative Association and we will consider the matter in due course.";

Shortly before announcing the suspension, Mr Spooner described the petition as "illogical nonsense" and a "personal view" of Mr Holliday, who was a Vote Leave co-ordinator for Guildford.

Asked about the petition, Prime Minister Theresa May's official spokeswoman said: "Different people will choose their words differently."