Conservative Parliamentary Candidate Paul Athans has called for a full investigation by Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council into his Liberal Democrat opponent's use of a derogatory slur.
Paul said:
Cllr. Smart was caught on a doorbell camera by a resident of Hazel Grove Constituency, making a derogatory ‘joke’ about Liverpool to a Liverpudlian voter whilst out canvassing. The full details of the incident can be found in numerous news outlet reports
I have been contacted by outraged residents who, like me, feel that Cllr. Smart’s comments were totally unacceptable. One Romiley resident described her comments as “grossly offensive”.
These comments came to light at the same time as a leaflet was being distributed by Cllr. Smart attacking me for being from Liverpool. Not only is this hypocritical (her website suggests she is from London[1]) but it also demonstrates a very negative and nasty pattern of behaviour.
It is public knowledge that you are from Liverpool, and I am sure there are many employees of SMBC that are also from Liverpool. I am concerned how Cllr. Smart expects to have a working relationship with the Chief Executive of the Council when she holds such anti-Liverpool views.
I believe that Cllr. Smart’s actions are a clear breach of the SMBC Code of Conduct for Councillors, specifically CP1 – 2.8 Respect for Others, and formally request that this incident is investigated and / or referred to the Standards Committee.
Just over eight years ago, Jo Cox MP was tragically murdered. The Jo Cox Foundation produced the Civility Pledge (Use a civil and constructive tone in debate. Act with integrity, honesty and compassion. Behave respectfully towards others, including those I disagree with). It is a shame that Cllr. Smart does not extend that civility towards me or the people of Liverpool."
[1] https://web.archive.org/web/20110929165109/http://lisasmart.org.uk/
The incident has been reported by numerous news outlets including:
- The Daily Mail[1]
- The Daily Telegraph[2]
- The Manchester Evening News[3]
- The Liverpool Echo[4]
- BBC News[5]
- Stockport Nub News[6]
The full letter can be found below.
[1] https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13568491/Fury-Liberal-Democrat-hopeful-MP-caught-doorbell-camera-making-anti-Liverpool-slur-canvassing.html
[2] https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/06/26/lib-dem-jokes-with-liverpudlian-about-nicking-stuff/
[3] https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/lib-dems-hazel-grove-candidate-29427176
[4] https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/candidate-accused-making-derogatory-jokes-29426402
[5] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd11xprd6ryo?xtor=AL-73-%5Bpartner%5D-%5BBBC+England%5D-%5Bheadline%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-
[6] https://stockport.nub.news/news/general-election-2024/lib-dems-hazel-grove-candidate-offers-fulsome-apology-after-anti-liverpool-comments-233517
