Tory candidates suspended over Islamophobic and racist tweets
TWO Conservative council candidates have been suspended while they are being investigated by their party over claims they shared racist and Islamophobic posts on social media.
Terry Batson, who is a candidate for Tow Law Ward, and Laura Rides, who is running in the Consett North Ward, have been referred to the Conservative Party Campaign Headquarters (CPCH) over claims they shared posts on their accounts.
A post on Mr Batson’s Facebook account showed an image of a golliwog toy and another post went on a tirade against a black Labour activist.
From Ms Rides’ account, a series of posts on Twitter appear to see the businesswoman admitting she is Islamophobic.
The North West Durham Association has confirmed both candidates have been referred to the CCHQ and an investigation is under way. A status on Mr Batson’s account referred to a “Manchester, coloured, Labour activist on BBC news” who asked an advisory professor “what was the Government doing to help the black, minority, ethnic communities’ in respect of the Covid virus?
“I am rather disappointed to have a need to point out that ignorant, self-centred, Labour party activists, you, or your ethnic minority have no more rights than any other citizen in the United Kingdom.
“If that is the disgusting, low level of questioning, a Labour party activist can deliver the larger proportion of citizens, including those decent coloured citizens, strongly reject this extremely racist, trouble rousing, party. The shoots of evil have emerged!!!”
Mr Batson’s account showed an image of a golliwog that had the caption ‘How far can I travel around Facebook?? Before it’s banned come on help me travel!!!.’
In January 2020, a post appeared from Ms Rides Twitter account saying she was Islamophobic: “Personally I will admit to being Islamaphobic. It is a fear or something. This does not mean I HATE Islam. It means I am to a degree fearful of
Islam. I do think this is a discussion that needs to be had as recently the Pope slapped a woman’s hand and the Catholic community stood up and told him off. They did not hold back.
“Yet with Terror Attacks. Grooming gangs and the way Muslim women are treated I find that although it is a minority of people who follow Islam who do these things, I do not see the community of Islam standing up and condemning them.”
A spokesman for the Durham Anti-Racist Coalition said people were “not impressed” with the comments.
He added: “It is the belief of County Durham Anti-Racist Coalition that councillors are elected to give equal representation in the community to everyone regardless of ethnicity, religion, gender, sexuality, age and political beliefs.
“We are concerned that the candidates which North West Durham Conservatives have chosen to stand in the Tow Law and Consett North wards, Terry Batson and Laura Rides respectively, are unable to do this.
“We are further concerned the the MP for North West Durham, Richard Holden, has endorsed these candidates despite residents of North West Durham raising concerns, he appears not to have addressed the matter.”
A spokesman for the North West Durham Conservative Association said: “In line with the normal complaints procedure, both individuals have been referred to Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ), and it would be in appropriate to comment further until CCHQ have fully investigated the complaint.”
A Conservative Party spokesman said: “Terry Batson and Laura Rides have been suspended pending an investigation.”