Lesbian in Tories' leading role

2005-12-15 19:59

London - The new leader of Britain's main opposition Conservatives on Thursday kept true to his pledge to overhaul the party's image by appointing a millionaire lesbian businesswoman to a leading role.

Margo James, who became the first openly gay female Tory to stand for parliament at this year's general election, will become one of the Conservatives' vice-chairs with particular responsibility for women's issues.

David Cameron was elected Conservative chief last week and pledged in his victory speech to boost his party's female and ethnic minority representation in parliament.

He complained that nine out of 10 Tory MPs were white men like himself.

Cameron, a telegenic 39-year-old former public relations executive, also appointed lawyer Sayeeda Warsi to another vice-chair's post. She will be responsible for cities.

Warsi, a former race relations adviser to Cameron's predecessor Michael Howard, stood in the general election hoping to become Britain's first female Muslim MP.

- AFP