Monday, May 29, 2006
Business Community Call for Tory Councillor to be Sacked
The following open letter was sent to the Argus from members of the LGBT Business Community concerning thehomophobic statements made by Conservative Councillor for Hangleton & Knoll, Peter Willows:
As members of the City’s LGBT business community we express our concerns at the comments made by Conservative Cllr Peter Willows, as exposed by The Argus (20th May 2006). They are an insult to our community and do nothing but inflame hatred within the City.
Whilst collectively we are supporters of all political parties and indeed none, we cannot help but note that repeated comments have been made against the city’s diverse communities over the years by Peter Willows and too often gone unchallenged. Last year we saw the good work of our local LGBT Police Team undermined by his unwise comments. Sadly, last month he failed to support a council motion to mark the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO), with the flying of the rainbow flag from Brighton Town Hall. Through the letters to the editor page in the Argus he has been critical of the Pride celebrations and in his latest outburst he suggests LGBT people are not normal and paedophiles.
We call on Councillor Willows to resign from the Council. He is not fit to make decisions which affect the City's 35,000 strong LGBT population. Furthermore we call on the Conservatives to expel him from their party, and demonstrate that the recent commitments of their national leadership to communities such as ours are not just hollow words, but are followed through with deeds.
We ask the leaders of all the political groups of the city council to re-assert the commitment of the council to continuing the progress made in recent times with the city’s diverse communities. This work must not be deflected as a result of these comments.
Finally, we ask the Police to investigate these comments and act on what we believe to be inflammatory language intended to incite hatred. Such comments are highly destructive to community relations.
Tony Chapman, Legends:
David Calderhead, The Amsterdam:
Chris Gull, Dentists:
Paul Kemp, Wild Fruit:
Andrew Roberts, Revenge:
Andy Feest, Queens Arms:
Alan Barratt, Vavoom:
Brian Ralfe, Producer:
James Ledward, Gscene Magazine:
Neil Woodcock, Consultant:
Andrew Kay, Latest Homes:
Kim Lucas, Candy Bar:
Tim Coleman, Griffen Hotel:
Philip Marini, Gay Business Forum:
Morham White, Gay Business Forum:
Lee Walker, Café 22:
Gary Clarke & Derek Jeremy, Cavalaire Hotel:
Brian Stacey, BKS Business Solutions:
Sam Milford, Realbrighton.com:
Herve Guyat, New Stein Hotel:
Brian Morton, Indrum:
Nick Head, Ambassadors Hotel:
Steve Chillingworth, Marine Tavern:
Stewart Rampton, The Harelquin:
Stephen Richards, Entertainer:
David Raven, Entertainer:
Mike Dalley, Cardome:
Jerome Lloyd, LRAPA Group:
As members of the City’s LGBT business community we express our concerns at the comments made by Conservative Cllr Peter Willows, as exposed by The Argus (20th May 2006). They are an insult to our community and do nothing but inflame hatred within the City.
Whilst collectively we are supporters of all political parties and indeed none, we cannot help but note that repeated comments have been made against the city’s diverse communities over the years by Peter Willows and too often gone unchallenged. Last year we saw the good work of our local LGBT Police Team undermined by his unwise comments. Sadly, last month he failed to support a council motion to mark the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO), with the flying of the rainbow flag from Brighton Town Hall. Through the letters to the editor page in the Argus he has been critical of the Pride celebrations and in his latest outburst he suggests LGBT people are not normal and paedophiles.
We call on Councillor Willows to resign from the Council. He is not fit to make decisions which affect the City's 35,000 strong LGBT population. Furthermore we call on the Conservatives to expel him from their party, and demonstrate that the recent commitments of their national leadership to communities such as ours are not just hollow words, but are followed through with deeds.
We ask the leaders of all the political groups of the city council to re-assert the commitment of the council to continuing the progress made in recent times with the city’s diverse communities. This work must not be deflected as a result of these comments.
Finally, we ask the Police to investigate these comments and act on what we believe to be inflammatory language intended to incite hatred. Such comments are highly destructive to community relations.
Tony Chapman, Legends:
David Calderhead, The Amsterdam:
Chris Gull, Dentists:
Paul Kemp, Wild Fruit:
Andrew Roberts, Revenge:
Andy Feest, Queens Arms:
Alan Barratt, Vavoom:
Brian Ralfe, Producer:
James Ledward, Gscene Magazine:
Neil Woodcock, Consultant:
Andrew Kay, Latest Homes:
Kim Lucas, Candy Bar:
Tim Coleman, Griffen Hotel:
Philip Marini, Gay Business Forum:
Morham White, Gay Business Forum:
Lee Walker, Café 22:
Gary Clarke & Derek Jeremy, Cavalaire Hotel:
Brian Stacey, BKS Business Solutions:
Sam Milford, Realbrighton.com:
Herve Guyat, New Stein Hotel:
Brian Morton, Indrum:
Nick Head, Ambassadors Hotel:
Steve Chillingworth, Marine Tavern:
Stewart Rampton, The Harelquin:
Stephen Richards, Entertainer:
David Raven, Entertainer:
Mike Dalley, Cardome:
Jerome Lloyd, LRAPA Group:
