Sacked for 'Charlotte nude hoax'

Last updated at 08:16 05 August 2005


Two council bosses have been sacked and more than 20 workers suspended after allegedly emailing topless photos of Charlotte Church.

They were punished by senior staff at Manchester City Council who discovered the pictures were being circulated following a routine computer check.

Another worker said: "This is a disgrace. The picture is harmless and has done the rounds across Britain. It was not exactly hardcore porn and probably a fake anyway. It was a joke - no-one thought they'd lose their jobs over it."

The photos were circulated earlier this year and rumour had it the Voice Of An Angel singer had sent one of the images to the mobile phone of her boyfriend - Welsh rugby star Gavin Henson - before it was lost.

Church, 19, who claimed she was wearing a bra in the original snap, insisted the nudity had been faked - and joked it did not do her justice.

"Me and Gavin have exchanged picture-messages but mine were never topless," she added.

The council employees who circulated the e-mail were based at a direct labour department in Moss Side.

Manchester City Council confirmed a disciplinary investigation was under way but refused to comment further.

"The council has clear policies on the misuse of e-mail," a spokesman said.

Three weeks ago, the council suspended eight workers for allegedly viewing and sending images of "a homophobic nature".

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