Hoodie Pic 'proves Cameron Point'

[TriWooOx]

Quote:A hooded teenager pictured making a gun gesture behind David Cameron proves the Tory leader's point about "anti-social behaviour", his spokesman said.

The photo has been splashed on front pages, with the Daily Mail saying: "Do you still want to hug a hoodie, Dave?"

But Mr Cameron's spokesman said the picture "perfectly illustrates the problems David was talking about".

The youth, 17-year-old Ryan Florence, is electronically tagged after being in a young offenders' institution.

Florence, who served four months for burglary and street robbery, told the Sun newspaper he had not realised who Mr Cameron was.

He told the Sun he was in a gang called Benchill Mad Dogs and regularly smokes cannabis and takes cocaine.

'Love'

Mr Cameron was visiting a community centre on one of the most deprived estates in Manchester, to discuss gun crime.

His spokesman said he had not spoken to Mr Florence, but was aware the picture had been taken.

"He has never said hug a hoodie. But this picture illustrates precisely the sort of problems of anti-social behaviour and the need for positive role models that David was talking about."

In July, Mr Cameron was mocked by Labour after giving a speech saying young people needed "a lot more love" to avoid a life of crime.

He said teenagers who hide under hooded tops are trying to "blend in" rather than appear threatening - but his criticised dubbed it his "hug a hoodie" speech.

On Thursday's trip to the Benchill area of Manchester, Mr Cameron visited the United Estates of Wythenshawe (UWE) centre, an award-winning community project run by former bouncers.

Absentee fathers

He said more money should be given to community workers - not bureaucrats - who make a "real difference" to people's lives. He also talked about absentee fathers, as well as getting to the "roots of crime".

Greg Davis, who helps run the UWE, said had been thinking about standing as an independent local councillor, but was so impressed with Mr Cameron he is now considering running for the Conservatives.

He told the BBC the Tory leader was on a short walk around the block at the end of his visit, when they passed a few youths off the estate.

"As we took about five or six steps, one of them did a gun gesture," he said.

"I would have been more surprised if he had not done that," he said.

"There was always going to be some kind of catcall or wolf whistle - as it happens, that is the gesture of the moment."

Mr Davis said he turned round to look at Mr Florence, who immediately put his hand down, out of respect for someone from the estate "which, funnily enough, is what David Cameron is trying to get across".

"I love that picture," he said, saying it showed the "stark contrast" between the world of public school-educated Mr Cameron, and that of a state school teenager on an inner city estate.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6389277.stm

[Ognir]

[Conspiracy Dave]

Nice photo op. He probably set the whole thing up.

"hey kid, want a real gun? well then...psssppppsssppp......behind me and ...psssppsppp"

[Typhoid]

- typhoid