Young Liberal in Obama ‘monkey’ Twitter scandal to be expelled

Brisbane, Apr.16 (ANI): A young Liberals’ member who called Barack Obama a “monkey” on Twitter during the US President’s interview on the ABC will be expelled, says the Queensland Liberal National Party (LNP).

The tweets, from an account belonging to Nick Sowden, a medical student at the University of Queensland, began just after 7.30pm AEST last night, during ABC TV’s 7.30 Report with Kerry O’Brien.

Sowden said his comments were taken out of context. He said it was a joke between friends.

“I think the people follow me know (it’s a joke) and the people who are my friends know and the people on Twitter don’t unfortunately,” he said.

I don’t think Obama is a monkey. You can’t be a monkey and be President of the United States.”

When asked if he’d apologise, he said: “Yes, sure, why not.”

Sowden said he shut down his Twitter account because he didn’t want any more tweets taken out of context.

The LNP held a meeting today to discuss Mr Sowden’s actions and found that he had brought the Party into disrepute.

The party said it “resolves to expel him from the Liberal National Party”. (ANI)