A little lacking in taste but hardly an expulsion offence, a reprimand is more appropriate.

polly, newcastle,

It was in appalling bad taste and there is no excuse for it. But the lack of judgment, having not just thought of such an offensive costume, but then to put it up on Facebook and discuss it with other immature, arrogant clowns is mind blowing.

Is this the future of the Tory party? Heaven help us!

Matthew, Maidenhead,

I studied Law and Politics (Keele) alongside this guy and whilst I'm a Labour man myself, he holds some decent views and is quite a character. A little misguided in his intentions perhaps; this misdemeanour should not have been a reason for expulsion from a political party at such a young age.

Matthew Smith, Bournemouth, UK

Perhaps NATO should invade the Tory Party to save its minorities from ethic cleansing.

Simon, Weymouth,

Perhaps this illustrates that education and maybe misplaced trust in people who should be able to separate good and awfully bad taste is often and unfortunately not recognised. I am forever trying to remain supportive of elected reps & the system but Hey! there is a limit . Get your house in order!

George Gibson, Saltash, England

Whilst I think its important for everyone to enjoy themselves at parties moreI do think Mr Lewis should have thought carefully about his actions. AS a young conservative member myself its important to enjoy life but I do hope Mr Lewis has thought carefully about what happened.

Imran Lokhon, Wallingford, UK

Nanny knows best! Poor taste is now a hanging offence. Whatever happened to the principle of allowing people to make their mistakes whilst young? This was a private party - not a public event. Central Office being so twitchy shows that Cameron is subject to Nu Lab control-freakery as well. Regrets

John Hall, Kaarina, Finland

Geoffers, bad taste is not illegal: if it was this would be a police matter. It isn't. But this is very bad taste. Not the sort of bad taste that produces a naff coffee table. Repellent, sneery, unpleasant. He had to be expelled. Times readers should know better. Whither education in this country?..

Tim, Leeds,

So how would you describe it John? Surely you cannot be condoning this behaviour? Even by Tory standards it is vile.

Russell, Edinburgh, UK

So much of what is wrong with British politics stems from people like this. We have an entire generation of career politicians, sycophants and hacks who know nothing else. What happened to MPs first attaining success, judgment and experience in the Military, Law, Business etc. We need better MPs.

R D Harper, London, UK

It was indeed in bad taste, but the reaction is as if he was the one who kidnapped Madeline, rather than go over the top in a costume party at university. Unpleasant, but a typically hyperventilating response from the [self] rightous majority.

Jack, London,

Big deal, a student prank. No doubt the Tory party will feel duty bound to throw a few thousand pounds the McCanns' way, we are in a credit crunch after all!

A Thorn, London,

Now there seem to be limits on bad taste in Britain, should it in future be called "reasonably bad taste party" so you come as Heinrich Himmler's tailor or Peter Suttclif's accountant.

David Masu, Zürich, Switzerland

How stupid can one get??

Vincent, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

In a way it is reassuring to know that that the Conservative party is still the natural home of the seriously immature. Some things should never change.

Barry Smith, Colomby, France

This was a juvenile prank in bad taste, nothing more. Bad taste is not yet illegal and I do not have to share young Mr Lewis' sense of humour to support his right to have it. Last time I checked nobody, not even the McCanns, had the right to be free of being offended.

Geoffers, Bury,

erm... it was a bad taste party. What are you meant to do? Go as a brussels sprout?

Also; who cares? This isn't some shadow cabinet member, it's a Tory Boy student. Ridiculous.

Matt , Birmingham,

This is depraved and deplorable, what kind of person would even think to do such a thing. These individuals should be severely reprimanded for their actions but also questions should be raised as to the state of their mental health.

Liz, Luton, UK

ridiculously OTT faux-outrage by Caroline Spelman: “This offensive behaviour is not only shocking but intolerable and completely unacceptable,” she said. “There is no place for this sort of person in the party.”

OK so it was in bad taste, but to describe it as above is just stupid.

John, London,