Digital Blunder: Kinky Tory shoots himself in the (stockinged) foot

A Conservative councillor has resigned from the party after emails that he sent containing photographs of himself wearing a suspender belt, tights and no underwear were forwarded to his colleagues.

The emails, in which councillor Phil Grayson described his sexual fantasies, were forwarded to every member of Bracknell Forest Borough Council by the recipient, who had claimed to be a 23-year-old woman looking for an older man, according to the Metro newspaper.

Disgraced Grayson has called the episode a deliberate attempt to discredit him, and police are investigating whether the councillor is a victim of a set-up.

The Labour opposition is calling for his resignation from the council.

The Bracknell email faux pas is the latest in a string of email incidents that have affected - and in some cases damaged - careers.

Last October a city banker was suspended from work after an email he wrote describing his sexual exploits was forwarded around the world. Trevor Luxton emailed friends a description of how a friend's ex-girlfriend had performed a sex act on him, before one his mates felt the need to pass it on. As others forwarded the email Luxton became something of a celebrity.

In the most famous case to date - nearly three years ago - a City lawyer faced disciplinary action after an email from his girlfriend - the notorious Claire Swire - describing her sexual tastes achieved worldwide fame as people forwarded it on.

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Matt Loney writes for ZDNet.co.uk