Ex-BNP councillor stands down as Stoke-on-Trent deputy mayor

Councillor Melanie Baddeley was due to become lord mayor for Stoke-on-Trent in September

A former British National Party (BNP) parliamentary candidate who was due to become lord mayor of Stoke-on-Trent has stepped down after online "abuse".

Melanie Baddeley was to take over from current mayor Jackie Barnes in September, after an earlier planned handover was delayed due to Covid-19.

Mrs Barnes is separately subject to an investigation over "racist" posts she shared on Facebook.

Ms Baddeley leaves her post as deputy mayor but will remain a councillor.

The former BNP and now independent council member said "past decisions" were behind "abuse" on social media.

In a statement, she said: "I always knew as a result of decisions I've taken in the past that it would be a challenge taking on this civic duty.

"I have apologised for my wrongdoings and I thought that through adversity, hard work and commitment, I may be given a second chance.

"However, I realised now that this is not possible."

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Ms Baddeley stood for the BNP in the Stoke-on-Trent North constituency in 2010, and continued to represent the far-right political group as a councillor until 2011.

A petition calling on Stoke-on-Trent City Council to withdraw Ms Baddeley as deputy lord mayor was set up after her appointment in 2019 and has gained traction online since serving mayor Mrs Barnes was made subject to an investigation.

Nearly 30,000 people have now added their names to the petition which describes Ms Baddeley as "a far right extremist".

She has since distanced herself from the BNP and said she had "received hate and abuse on social media... because of past decisions".

The council is led by a Tory-City Independents coalition.

Councillor Paul Shotton, leader of the Labour opposition group, said he welcomed the decision to stand down but "cannot condone any abuse or threats" received by Ms Baddeley or her family.

He added it was "unthinkable" that someone who previously represented the BNP "could possibly carry out this role impartially".

In a statement, the city council said: "Councillor Baddeley has made a personal decision to step down. The annual council meeting will take place in September where it will appoint a Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor which will be formally proposed at the meeting."

Amendment 9 July 2020: This story has been updated to make clear that Jackie Barnes currently remains lord mayor of Stoke-on-Trent.