Councillor sorry for ‘fascist’ web jibe in poll battle

Rod Price, who represents Camblesforth on Selby Council, aimed the comments at fellow candidates in the contest for the South Selby seat on North Yorkshire County Council.

A by-election is being held for the seat following the death of councillor Margaret Hulme in June.

Speaking yesterday, Coun Price said: “I apologise unreservedly for the wholly unacceptable language I used.

“It was a spur of the moment tweet written in the heat of a by-election, meant to be taken in jest, but I understand it was highly misjudged and I deeply regret any offence caused.”

The tweet was posted on Sunday but later removed along with the account @RedRod1 used to deliver it.

Coun Price’s apology followed a letter of complaint from Ian Reynolds, election agent to Conservative candidate Mike Jordan, who described the comments as “offensive and defamatory”.

Mr Reynolds wrote: “Your words are especially offensive and insulting given the millions killed at the hands of the fascists during the last century and I would argue that your comments bring your current position as a district councillor into disrepute.

“The voters in South Selby will be the ones to decide if these are the sort of comments they expect to see and hear from someone who wishes to represent them and their community.”

He added: “I suggest they would also be outraged to think someone who pertains to represent them would behave in such a manner.”

Mr Reynolds said the Conservatives would be drawing the comments to the attention of Selby District Council and taking legal advice.

The other candidates taking part in the contest are the UK Independence Party’s Colin Heath and Independent David McSherry.

The by-election is due to take place on October 10.

Coun Hulme, a Conservative, had represented South Selby since 1997 and was previously the county councillor for Selby Rural from 1991 to 1993.