Labour condemns councillor over 'inappropriate' social media posts and says he's on 'final warning'

Labour has condemned one of its councillors over a string of "inappropriate" social media posts.
Coun Taylor was sacked as the deputy chair of Wakefield's licensing committee for the posts.Coun Taylor was sacked as the deputy chair of Wakefield's licensing committee for the posts.
Coun Taylor was sacked as the deputy chair of Wakefield's licensing committee for the posts.

Dick Taylor, who sits on Wakefield Council, said on Tuesday he'd been disciplined by his party and sacked as deputy chair of the local licensing committee.

Coun Taylor, who represents the Featherstone ward, suggested on Facebook that Premier League players should wear "All Lives Matter" on their shirts, rather than "Black Lives Matter".

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He also shared a Facebook post suggesting the government was committing "class genocide" with its policy on sending children back to state school at the start of June.

In a third post he shared a picture depicting someone reading a large book, captioned "Understanding Women" is out now in paperback".

Coun Taylor defended his actions, saying he did not understand what he'd done wrong.

Labour initially refused to comment on the case, but the party then issued a statement condemning the posts on Wednesday morning after the story broke.

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Sources close to the party now claim they were unable to comment when requested earlier this week as they had yet to make a final decision on the matter.

Wakefield Labour group chief whip, Coun Richard Forster said: "Following an investigation into inappropriate posts on Facebook, Coun Dick Taylor has been issued with a final warning and has been removed from all positions within the group.

"These posts were not acceptable and the Labour group felt action needed to be taken.

"We expect councillors to conduct themselves appropriately and be mindful of the language they use at all times.”

Local Democracy Reporting Service

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