Tory pair suspended over racist posts and call to ‘hang’ Khan
TWO Sefton Conservative members have been suspended over social media comments directed at Black Lives Matters protesters and violent threats to London mayor Sadiq Khan.
Desmond Ward and William Howard have been suspended by the Sefton Conservatives Association, pending an investigation after the social media posts were sent to them by a concerned resident.
Mr Ward had previously posted about being approved as a council candidate for the local elections – which have since been postponed.
It has also been suggested that Mr Howard was also a Conservative candidate for the local elections in Sefton, however this has not been confirmed.
In a post published on the public Facebook group, Southport Chat (UK), Mr Ward made comments about coverage of a recent Black Lives Matter rally in Southport.
He said: “Not even a black face amongsr them whats there problem.”
But someone who attended the protest responded to Mr Ward’s comments and said “I was there.”
Mr Ward then answered and said: “So what? What’s your point?”
He added a separate comment on the post which said: “You don’t watch the telly every ad has a black face and news presenters are of colour.”
He then wrote: “Look sweetheart I was born and bread (sic) in Toxteth Liverpool don’t try to give me the race card.”
A Facebook post written by Mr Howard contained violent words aimed at London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
Speaking about Black Lives Matter protests in London, the Labour mayor had said on his Facebook page: “The extreme far-right want to hijack these protests and distract from the Black Lives Matter cause.
“We must not give them the oxygen they crave, or lose this chance of fundamental and far-reaching change.”
Mr Howard responded to Mr Khan’s post and said: “Hang this c*** royally.”
He also made other public comments on Facebook about the Black Lives Matter movement, he said: “Yep ye
Desmond Ward, left, posted offensive comments, top left, and, above left, claimed he had been chosen as a Conservative candidate; William Howard called for London mayor Sadiq Khan to be hanged ‘royally’ and wrote abusive responses to comments about the Black Lives Matter movement, above right
Black Lives Matter folk, you’re either dirty c***s or you’re flying under a banner setup by dirty c***s.
“I’m sorry not sorry to say.” Another post by him criticising other comments said: “You little woke ar**s, you are so past tense.”
The Local Democracy Reporting Service sent the posts to the Conservative Association in Sefton.
Responding, the Conservative leader at Sefton Council, Cllr Tony Brough, said that two members of the Southport Conservative Association had been suspended, pending an investigation.
He said: “In response to allegations of inappropriate social media comment published by two members of the Southport Conservatives Association it has been decided to suspend both members with immediate effect, pending an investigation.
“The investigative process will be conducted in accordance with Conservative Party policy and procedure, for that reason and to ensure impartiality, the Southport Conservative Association can make no further comment on these matters at this time.”
Mr Howard has released a statement about the online posts he made.
He said: “Well, the simple answer is failing to offer condemnation to those who would break lockdown rules and gather in large groups, is totally irresponsible under the present circumstance.”
He also claimed “Black Lives Matter is an anarcho-Marxist organisation”.
He wrote: “This has tainted the virtue of the slogan ‘Black Lives Matter’ by mixing the agenda with a far left agenda, which is very sad and is something I view as a dirty political game; especially during a health crisis of the type we are presently embroiled in. It is wholly irresponsible and a diabolical political tactic.”
Mr Ward did not respond to the request to comment.
Southport’s Conservative MP, Damien Moore, said: “Racism in any form is completely unacceptable and I am deeply disappointed to learn of these comments.
“The Conservative Party should investigate these allegations immediately and why the appropriate action was not taken earlier to uphold public confidence in our complaints process.”