A gay teenage UK Youth Parliament member has been suspended for posting naked photographs of himself on a pornographic website, it emerged today.
Reace Mcdonnell, 19, is thought to have posted a series of explicit pictures on the site, which he has regularly used for the last two years.
But he was suspended from his role with the UK Youth Parliament, of which he has been a member since 2008, following a tip off from a worried mother whose son was looking at the pictures.
A set of steamy black and white pictures showing Reace, of Plymouth, Devon, with his top off were also found on modelling website Star Now.
Andy Hamflett, chief executive of the UK Youth Parliament, said: ”Our primary concern is for the safety of all the young people we work with and we are taking these allegations very seriously.
”The young person in question has been suspended whilst the matter is investigated.”
Mr Mcdonnell, 19, is a deputy MYP after turning 19 earlier this year meant he was too old to stand again as a full MYP.
He has described his role as ”inspiring” and ”very fulfilling” and has previously campaigned for better sex education.
Upon being elected, he said: ”I want to continue to represent the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and also put into action my plan for a city-wide anti-bullying scheme.”
A mother of a Plymouth teenager, who did not wish to be named said: ”I am concerned as a mother for my child. He has recently ‘come out’ as gay and has been following the out youth in Plymouth.
”Reace Mcdonnell, who leads this group is an apparent role model for young teens in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, is on the internet.
”My son has spoken to me about this internet site and thinks that it is ‘cool’.”
Reace, who reached the semi-finals of the ‘Face of Plymouth’ competition this year, previously stated he was a practising Catholic and an active participant in enforcing gay rights.
In a statement on his Facebook page yesterday, he said of the suspension: ”I think it is really quite pathetic that you should intringe (sic) on my life like this, not only at this pivotal stage, but at all considering I’m an adult.”
A close friend of Reace said: ”He is quite open about being gay and has regularly stood up to be counted on other important issues affecting lesbian, gay and bisexual teenagers like homophobic bullying.
”It is ironic that in spite of, or perhaps because of, his hard work he now seems to be the victim of nasty and upsetting rumours himself.”
Cllr Joan Watkins, Plymouth’s Cabinet member for children and young people, said: ”If this is true I would view it with great disappointment.
”We want young people to be involved in democracy and the life of the city but you have to bring certain characteristics to the role.”
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