More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A Conservative councillor had been suspended by text after he sent a tweet telling a Big Issue seller to “"f*** off back to Romania".
Cllr Bob Frost, 63, who represents North Deal, posted the tweet on Sunday morning.
It read: “@bobfrost: Being ex Home Office I feel qualified to offer helpful free immigration advice. Just told local Big Issue seller to f**k off back to Romania.”
Leader of Conservative councillors at Dover District Council, Cllr Paul Watkins told KentOnline: “Cllr Wayne Elliott and I have suspended Bob Frost pending further investigation.”
“We have informed Bob by text.”
Cllr Watkins said he will get together with Cllr Frost within the next few weeks.
Cllr Frost will still be entitled to attend council meetings but not as a Conservative representative.
His suspension comes after Leader of the Labour councillors at Dover District Council, Cllr Mike Eddy, condemned the tweet.
He said: “This kind of tweet from a councillor who is meant to represent and promote the town is disgraceful and shows he is unfit to represent the town.
“It’s offensive, childish and possibly a crime as an incitement to racial hatred.
“Charlie Elphicke has just been made a whip in the government yet he can’t keep someone like this in line. It’s time for Bob to stand down, unless the local Tory Leader thinks this kind of behaviour is acceptable?”
"It is satire pointing out what’s wrong with society. It’s an old joke..." - Cllr Frost
Cllr Frost said: “It is satire pointing out what’s wrong with society. It’s an old joke.”
He made reference to a national story published by The Guardian titled ‘The Big Issue is used by migrants to claim benefits’.
In response to Cllr Eddy, he said: “I am somewhat surprised that the usual suspects, having been so supportive of the principal that Charlie Hebdo can make jokes about the Prophet Mohammed, find quips about EU Benefit Tourism somehow beyond the pale.
"This is no more likely to incite racial hatred than jokes about Polish Plumbers or the German predisposition for reserving sun-loungers. Labour Party members really should get a life, as well as some electable policies!”
He added: “Might I also point out that while Labour councillors might think I’m unfit to represent the town just short of 1,400 local electors thought otherwise earlier this month with an increase of 18% in my personal vote!”
MP Charlie Elphicke has chosen not to get involved. He said: “This is clearly a matter for Deal Town Council and Dover District Council as the relevant authority. It would not be right for me to interfere in their processes.”
Cllr Frost was temporarily suspended from tweeting before the election this May because of previous offensive tweets.
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