DID YOU THINK NOBODY WOULD NOTICE , RUTH?
MAY 2017 Conservative leader suspends two local councillors for vile racist and sectarian rants on Twitter AUGUST 2017 Davidson’s hypocrisy is exposed as the pair rejoin the party and could have input into anti-bullying strategy
RUTH Davidson was branded a “hypocrite” yesterday after she reinstated two councillors who made racist and sectarian remarks to the Tory Party.
Robert Davies and Alastair Majury were suspended by the Scottish Tory leader in May after offensive tweets they posted came to light.
But it was yesterday confirmed the pair had been allowed back into the party fold after just three months.
Furious political opponents pointed out that as councillors, they would have influence over equality and bullying policy.
Both men were elected to Stirling Council in May’s local government vote but were immediately plunged into controversy over their vile social media comments.
Under the Twitter account Mulder 1981, Majury tweeted in 2012: “Why is the Catholic Church against birth control? Because they’ll run out of children to molest.”
In another tweet from September 2016, the councillor used the word “tarrier”, a derogatory term for Catholics.
Another post from 2012 turned Majury’s poison on immigrants and welfare claimants.
Using his Twitter account @resdavies, Davies posted a series of tweets in 2013 referring to a picture of black people waiting to board a plane.
One tweet read: “In the interests of security keep your loin cloths with you at all times. Spears go in the overhead locker.”
Another said: “No, I am not your lunch. I am your flight attendant.”
Green MSP Mark Ruskell said he was appalled the men would now have influence over Stirling’s bullying and equality strategies.
He said: “It is disgraceful, yet hardly surprising, that the Conservative Party have decided to reinstate these entirely unfit individuals.
“We now have a situation where a racist and an internet troll will be inputting into the running of key Stirling Council services including the school bullying and equalities strategy.
“These individuals are completely unsuited to holding public office and the fact that the ‘nasty party’ deem it appropriate to reinstate them speaks volumes.”
SNP MSP James Dornan accused Davidson, who has been critical of online abuse from independence supporters, of hypocrisy.
He said: “Ruth Davidson is a hypocrite. She is keen to call out racism, sexism and unacceptable behaviour, except when her own colleagues are the guilty ones.
“This exposes the ugly reality of Davidson’s Tories – a party which offers a home to extremist views, turns a blind eye to prejudice and allows those who spout offensive nonsense to hold elected office.
“The decision to reinstate these councillors makes it perfectly clear racist and offensive attitudes are welcome in the Scottish Tory party.”
Scottish Labour’s inequalities spokesperson Monica Lennon said: “It is shocking to see the Tories lift the suspension of these councillors.
“They made racist and sectarian remarks that have absolutely no place in our society.
“The Tories badly misjudged this and must think again.”
A spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives defended the decision to lift the suspension.
He said: “Having served a suspension, both councillors have been readmitted to the party after offering unreserved apologies for any offence caused.
“It has been made abundantly clear that behaviour like this will not be tolerated in future.”