Gedling: Homophobic slur was despicable, says Labour councillor
- Published
Michael Payne (pictured) said Keith Seaton's "despicable views" showed he "wasn’t fit" for elected office
A Nottinghamshire councillor has said a "despicable" homophobic slur was posted about him by a Conservative Party member.
Michael Payne, deputy leader of Gedling Borough Council, said a resident first alerted him to the comment made by Keith Seaton.
Mr Seaton stood unsuccessfully as a Conservative Party candidate in the borough council elections in May.
He has now been suspended from the party and has apologised for the slur.
Mr Payne is Labour's parliamentary candidate for Gedling and will stand at the next general election. The seat is currently held by Conservative MP Tom Randall.
Mr Seaton, whose Facebook page says he is deputy chair for the Gedling Conservatives, wrote the comment as part of an exchange about local politics on social media on Tuesday.
'Outright personal attack'
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Mr Payne said: "It's an utterly outdated and unacceptable view, particularly for someone who stood to represent the Conservatives a matter of months ago.
"This wasn't a slip of the tongue. This was an open outright personal attack on social media from someone in a senior position.
"My message is: challenge me on my politics but don't attack me for my personal life."
He said it was "good news" that Mr Seaton had been suspended quickly, but questioned whether he would be permanently expelled from the party.
In a tweet to Mr Payne, Gedling Conservatives said: "This is unacceptable and we are sorry that you - and others - have had to read this.
"The member involved in this has been suspended from the party and the matter is being investigated by central office. Our party stands against all forms of discrimination and is open to all."
Mr Seaton said: "Online debates always get heated but I regret the language I used and have since edited my comment.
"It was not directed at any individual or group I apologise for the offence caused."
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