Cyril Dixon
express.co.uk
Jim Mason, 61, admitted riding with the Outlaws
A CONSERVATIVE councillor from the shires was exposed yesterday as a secret former member of a notorious biker gang.
Former mayor Jim Mason, 61, admitted riding with the Outlaws, some of whose members were involved in the murder of a rival.
Mr Mason, a married father of two, sits on Tewkesbury Borough Council in Gloucestershire.
But pictures which emerged yesterday reveal he was once a senior member of the group formed in the United States.
The gang – full name Outlaws Motorcycle Club – is classed as an “organised crime” network by some police forces.
Three years ago, seven of its members were jailed for the drive-by shooting of Hell’s Angel Gerry Tobin.
Mr Tobin was gunned down on the M40 as he returned home from a motorcycle rally.
Outlaws and Hell’s Angels are bitter enemies and for decades have carried out tit-for-tat arson attacks, bombings and shootings.
Bearded Mr Mason yesterday admitted having been in the Outlaws but said he had now left. “All I will say is that I was a member of the Outlaws but I am not a member any more and haven’t been for some time.”
He was elected mayor of Tewkesbury, best known for its Norman abbey and Tudor buildings, in 2003.
There is no suggestion that he was ever involved in violence.
Julian Sher, an expert on biker gangs, said: “This is a very structured, disciplined gang.”
Tewkesbury council’s chief executive Mike Dawson said Mr Mason had not broken the authority’s code of conduct.
At his home in the Cotswolds village of Winchcombe, Mr Mason said: “I have a private life. Please contact my Conservative office if you need any more comment.”
Read more: http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/229928/Exposed-The-Outlaw-who-became-a-Tory-councillorExposed-The-Outlaw-who-became-a-Tory-councillor#ixzz1ERwZOYtl
