Clash over Tory 'rant' on Facebook

A ROW has broken out in the Harrogate Council election campaign after a Tory candidate branded the town's residents as "rude" during a rant on the social networking site Facebook.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Apr 2010, 12:16 BST
Updated 27th Apr 2010, 12:16 BST

Lydia Blakeley, the candidate for High Harrogate, also attacked Harrogate's "yummy mummies" and a local business.

The comments, made in December 2008, were revealed by the Liberal Democrats and last night Ms Blakeley, who has apologised, accused the party of sinking to "personal attacks".

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Her rival for the ward, Amanda Russell, said she was "appalled".

Ms Russell said: "I have always found people here polite and friendly. I would question whether she is really a serious contender if she thinks so little of the people she says she wants to represent."

The comments, now removed, said: "There are so many rude people in Harrogate. My message is to all of the Harrogate 'yummy' mummies...Just because you have a buggy or pushchair the size of a Range Rover Sport does not mean you have a God-given right of way."

Ms Blakeley said: "This comment was made a very long time ago in a light-hearted group in a light-hearted media, long before I was a council candidate. I have obviously removed the comment and apologise for any offence caused."

Related topics:FacebookHarrogate CouncilHigh HarrogateLiberal Democrats