Sacked Tory minister was taking heavy pain meds & drinking on night he ‘touched young man’s thigh in bar’, allies claim

A SACKED Tory minister was taking heavy pain medication and drinking on the night he allegedly touched a young man’s thigh in a hotel bar, allies have claimed. 

Conor Burns, 50, has been accused of placing his hand on the man’s leg in front of several onlookers in the early hours of the morning during this week’s Conservative Party Conference. 

Mr Burns' friends, who do not dispute that he was drinking or flirting with the man, said pain-relief medication worsened the effect of alcohol.

He was taking pain meds after injuring his ribs the weekend before. 

Mr Burns was sacked as Trade minister and suspended from the Conservative Party yesterday.

Sources told the it was a result of Tuesday’s incident at the Hyatt Regency hotel bar in Birmingham. 

He was allegedly told to stop by one witness. His friends dispute this.

Another source said concerns were raised about “inappropriate comments” Mr Burns made on the night.

It is understood the man was unknown to Mr Burns. The Bournemouth West MP denies any wrongdoing.

One friend said: “He feels imprisoned without any of the process of the police or a trial.”

Downing Street has not commented on why he was sacked.

The Sun revealed yesterday that he was fired and had the whip suspended following complaints about "serious misconduct".

It was understood a witness complained to party officials about alleged "lecherous behaviour" towards a younger man.

The sacked trade minister told the Sun he will "fully cooperate with the investigation and looks forward to clearing his name".

Mr Burns last night said he received a call from Chief Whip Wendy Morton informing him of his suspension.

In a series of tweets he said: "I was not given any information about the complaint nor was I asked to provide any information...

"I hope the party will be as quick to conduct their enquiry as they were to rush to judgement."