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Green Party instigate formal disciplinary proceeding against local councillor

Besi Besemar July 2, 2014

Local politicians call for Green councillor to stand down.

Cllr Ben Duncan
Cllr Ben Duncan

Following comments made on twitter referring to soldiers as “hired killers”, by Ben Duncan, Green councillor for Queens Park, The Green Party of Brighton and Hove have this morning started a formal disciplinary process about his remarks.

A spokesperson for the Greens said: “The Brighton & Hove Green Party Executive this morning decided that disciplinary proceedings were justified and will report any outcomes in due course. A panel will now be formed to determine what, if any, further action is warranted.”

On Sunday to mark Armed Forces Day the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment paraded from the Peace Statue in Hove along the seafront to New Road in Brighton.

Councillor Duncan tweeted: “Armed Forces Day has certainly brought the hired killers onto the streets of Brighton today. Hard to explain to my son.”

Senior Green politicians including Leader of the Council, Jason Kitcat and Brighton Pavilion MP, Caroline Lucas moved quickly to distance themselves from his comments.

In a tweeted apology yesterday, Cllr Duncan said: “Apols for offence caused by tweet re soldiers on streets. Many will have been remembering loved ones who died & was insensitive to their loss.”

His comments caused wide spread offense with local politicians who called for him to stand down immediately.

Cllr Warren Morgan, leader of Labour and Cooperative
Cllr Warren Morgan, leader of Labour and Cooperative

Cllr Warren Morgan, leader of the Labour and Cooperative group on Brighton and Hove City Council, said:  “Cllr Duncan should resign and he should do so quickly. He is free to criticise politicians who send troops to war, but not those who risk and often sacrifice their lives as a consequence.

“His comments are stupid and deeply offensive, particularly when we are marking the anniversaries of D Day and World War One.

“Were he a councillor in my Group he would be gone by the end of the day.”

Simon Kirby MP for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven
Simon Kirby MP for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven

Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven, said:  “Cllr Duncan’s comments are deeply regrettably and he would do well to remember that many brave men and women have sacrificed, and continue to sacrifice, a lot for him to be able to make such ridiculous comments.”

“As the only Member of Parliament at the event, I was proud to show my support for all the soldiers, past and present, on Armed Forces Day. We owe these people a great deal.”

“It is important we let our Armed Forces know that they have our continued support and comments like Cllr Duncan’s are deeply offensive and misguided.”

Mike Weatherley MP for Hove & Portslade
Mike Weatherley MP for Hove & Portslade

Mike Weatherley, MP for Hove & Portslade, added: “Slurring our brave soldiers, on Armed Forces Day of all days, is unbelievably insensitive and presumably cause for resignation.

“We have the right to free speech – a right which Councillor Duncan is more than happy to exercise – because of the very people whom he insults.”

 

 

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