Friend of British Prime Minister Found Dead at Glastonbury Festival

Yesterday, a close friend of British prime minister David Cameron died in a port-o-potty in the VIP area of the Glastonbury Festival.Christopher Shale, chairman of the Conservative Association in West Oxfordshire, was staying in an exclusive VIP area of the festival, which is a huge annual music event in Britain...

By Niki D'Andrea

June 27, 2011

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Yesterday, a close friend of British prime minister David Cameron died in a port-o-potty in the VIP area of the Glastonbury Festival.

Christopher Shale, chairman of the Conservative Association in West Oxfordshire, was staying in an exclusive VIP area of the festival, which is a huge annual music event in Britain. His body was discovered by police in a portable toilet around 9 a.m. Sunday.

Michael Eavis, organizer of the Glastonbury Festival, told media he was told Shale's death was "a suicide situation," but police have not confirmed that yet. Inspector Chris Morgan told media they were still working on establishing Shale's cause of death.

Shale, who worked as chief executive for a cost reduction company called Oxford Resources Ltd., was quoted Sunday in the British paper Daily Mail, expressing disappointment over his company's practices. "Over the years we have come across as graceless, voracious, crass, always on the take," Shale said, adding that people weren't joining his group because they "think we'll beg and steal from them. And they're right."

In a statement, David Cameron said he and his wife were devastated by the news of Shale's death. Shale was in his 50s.

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Niki D'Andrea has covered subjects including drug culture, women's basketball, pirate radio stations, Scottsdale staycations, and fine wine. She has worked at both New Times and Phoenix Magazine, and is now a freelancer.

Contact: Niki D'Andrea