Tory leader is facing inquiry into social media posts
Conservative boss says complaints are ‘rubbish’
THE new leader of Hyndburn’s Conservative group has confirmed she is facing a council Standards Board investigation over social media posts.
Party bosses launched an investigation after Coun Marlene Haworth, an honorary Alderman and ex-Mayor of Hyndburn, shared a series of posts on her Facebook page discussing race, ethnicity and nationality.
Posts were shared in late May and June on her private Facebook page, which could be publicly viewed.
When asked about the complaint, Coun Haworth told the Observer: “It’s going to the standards board and when it has been heard I will make a statement. All I can say is it’s all rubbish.
“The person that’s complained has broken protocol and the rules regarding the complaint. He’s just squashed his complaint.
“Once we have stopped it I will make a statement. It’s just ludicrous, it’s crazy.”
The St Oswalds councillor also said: “Those posts weren’t meant to go out to the public. They were meant for relations and friends for comments. The ones they’ve complained about I haven’t made any comment on them whatsoever.”
A Hyndburn Labour group spokesperson said: “We are deeply appalled by Cllr Haworth’s posts on social media.
“This very public statement puts into question her suitability for her role not just as Opposition Leader but as a Councillor.”
A North West Conservatives spokesperson said: “The Conservative group are looking into this and will be deciding on what action to take.”
THE new leader of Hyndburn’s Conservative group is facing a council Standards Board investigation over social media posts, she has confirmed.
An investigation has also been launched by party bosses after Coun Marlene Haworth, an honorary Alderman and ex-Mayor of Hyndburn, shared a series of posts on her Facebook page discussing race, ethnicity and nationality.
Posts were shared in late May and June on her private Facebook page, which could be publicly viewed.
They included a post shared, without comment, from a group called National English Unity identifying an alleged Black Lives Matter (BLM) protester which called her ‘a spoilt little rich girl’, and added ‘make her famous’.
Another post shared on her wall - again without comment - said “When a white police officer arrests a black gang member or beats up an Asian drug dealer running from the law and posing a threat to society, you call him a racist for doing his job. I am proud... but you’d call me a racist. Why is it that only whites can be racists?? Oh and f*** me now COVID is racist.”
It went on: “We have lost most of our rights in this country. We won’t stand up for ourselves! Being proud to be white! It’s not a crime, yet...but it’s getting very close. Proud to be British.”
When asked about the complaint, Coun Haworth told the Observer: “It’s going to the standards board and when it has been heard I will make a statement. All I can say is it’s all rubbish.
“The person that’s complained has broken protocol and the rules regarding the complaint. He’s just squashed his complaint. Once we have stopped it I will make a statement. It’s just ludicrous, it’s crazy.”
The St Oswalds councillor also said the row had broken because of her “lack of knowledge” of Facebook’s privacy settings, adding she is arranging training on the topic for councillors.
She said: “Those posts weren’t meant to go out to the public. They were meant for relations and friends for comments. The ones they’ve complained about I haven’t made any comment on them whatsoever.
“I was advised to delete them all because I didn’t realise they were going out publicly. I shall delete them all. I’m not really savvy with the internet. I think that’s a problem that a lot of people have.”
Tony Grogan, a forces veteran, said he had formally complained about one post, which has subsequently been deleted from Coun Haworth’s page.
He said: “On the account the councillor is shown wearing the Mayor’s robes for Hyndburn and hence there is a direct link between this account and her position and Hyndburn. The post could be considered racist and is in breach of the seven principles of public life.
“My concern is this is not the first post of this nature made by Cllr Haworth and at a time when we are working hard to remove racism and bias from society, Cllr Haworth is undermining those efforts and Hyndburn Council.”
A Hyndburn Labour group spokesperson said: “We are deeply appalled by Cllr Haworth’s posts on social media. This very public statement puts into question her suitability for her role not just as Opposition Leader but as a Councillor, and we urge both Cllr Haworth and her party to consider her position.”
Local Conservative spokesman and Immanuel councillor Josh Allen said: “We’ve received a few complaints regarding the post in question. At the moment it’s being investigated.”
A North West Conservatives spokesperson said: “The Conservative group are looking into this and will be deciding on what action to take.”
Hyndburn Council has been asked for comment.