It looks like the Tories are still the nasty Party!
According to the BBC, and the Evening Standard, in answer to the question given to Shadow Chancellor, George Osborne at a fringe meeting as to whether his memory for facts makes him faintly autistic, the "nice" George Osborne replies "We're not getting on to Gordon Brown yet."
Of course the more crass Conservatives will say it was all a laugh and a giggle, but not according to the National Autistic Society who state that "Any pejorative use of terms relating to autism can cause deep distress and hurt to people affected by the condition.
"We as a charity are keen to raise awareness in order that these terms are not used lightly by commentators.
"To use such terms as a criticism of someone's social skills only perpetuates the confusion that surrounds the condition."
Now the honourable thing to do, being a gentleman, is for Osborne to give a grovelling apology, but like that other well known Osborne of Look Back in Anger fame, he seems to have problems with public admissions of guilt and wrongdoing, stating:

"I didn't say that actually. I was asked if I was slightly autistic."
A bit economical with the truth there methinks, and mentioning Gordon Brown as moving the conversation on, as Osborne then explained as to why he made those comments, is just crass.
Then he kindly, and sensitively states, when asked if he was calling the Chancellor autistic "No absolutely not. Autism is a very serious condition."
Then why the ** did you say it then! It sounds like a cliche I know, but I know from first hand experience of various forms of the autistic spectrum, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia (which I have in a very mild form), aspergers etc.., and I can tell you point blank that people with these conditions have moments of distress and insecurity, simply because of their condition, their struggle to be understood, and having to fight back, time and again, to have a normal life and face down those who don't understand and don't want to understand their condition, some of whom make crass comments of the sort made today.
It goes without saying that Osborne, instead of hiding behind half apologies, should make a full and frank apology to all concerned.
Welcome to the world of David Cameron's understanding and new Conservatives!
Incidentally if none of you have read Alex Hilton's comments on Tories and the disabled some months back, here is another chance.