Councillor apologises for Facebook comments

A COUNCILLOR who wrote that he wouldn’t vote for a woman, a gay or someone who is English has apologised and acknowledged that the comment was unacceptable.

Geraint Thomas, an Independent councillor and cabinet member at Merthyr Tydfil council, initially refused to say sorry for the Facebook posting he made on the day of the last National Assembly election in 2016, claiming it was “banter”.

But Andrew Morgan, the Labour leader of neighbouring Rhondda Cynon Taf council, criticised Cllr Thomas, saying: “Not really appropriate for a cabinet member and at least a public apology should be given.”

Cllr Thomas pointed out that the post was made before he became a councillor, but a large number of social media users said his original message was unacceptable and that he should apologise.

In a statement issued through the council, Cllr Thomas said: “First and foremost I want to apologise if I offended anyone with my comments on social media made back in 2016. Those who know me will know that it is not my character to hurt, harm or upset anyone. The posts made on Facebook, prior to me being elected as a councillor in 2017, were posted in jest.

“The reason I stood as an elected member was to serve my community and also to play a part in making Merthyr Tydfil a better place for the future. My family have lived in Merthyr Tydfil for many generations and I am proud to live in such a diverse town. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge that comments like this are not acceptable. I am again sorry for what has happened and for the upset that my comments may have caused.”