The BBC local lunchtime news reported today that the leader of the TIG independent group in Thanet, Cllr John Worrow, has resigned.; "A Thanet District Councillor says he is standing down because of a homophobic hate campaign against him. John Worrow, the councils lead member for equalities, claims he has been the victim of, what he calls, a 'heterocentric' attitude towards him and that he cannot continue in his post".
Cllr Worrow declared "That's all folks' on Twitter after the broadcast.'
A week ago, his colleague, the frequently controversial Cllr Ian Driver, resigned from the Thanet Independent Group, led by Cllr Worrow and joined Thanet's other 'Independents', led by Cllr Tom King.
It remains unclear at this time whether this will lead to a by-election in Birchington before the County Council elections in May.
Update. Cllr Worrow has just announced on Twitter: "Just to make it clear I WILL be attending and speaking at the February full council meeting in Margate as a Thanet Councillor"
I was astounded to find out via the Thanet District Council public web site that Councillor Ian Driver has left the Thanet Independent Group to join Cllr King’s Independent Group. I have been concerned for weeks, due to Cllr Driver’s failure to respond to my emails and voice messages, and I am both surprised and shocked that he has not had the common courtesy to tender his resignation in writing.
Despite this, however, I would like to thank him for his contribution to the Thanet Independent Group, and I wish him and his new ‘team’well. I hope that he will encourage them to support his flagship issues, such as Live Animal Exports, Race Relations and LGBT Equality.
Councillor John Worrow Thanet Independent Group Leader
This blog is notpart of any other blog or organisation despite its unauthorised and questionable reproduction by Westgate-On-Sea Thanet Councillor Simon Moores, whose disrespectful behaviour is seriously irresponsible and potentially damaging to the repuation of the Conservative Party.
Speaking in the Council Chambers recently,Thanet District Council's Chairman of Overview and Scrutiny spoke of 'Underlying homophobia' from Thanet Conservatives
KENT EQUALITY CAMPAIGN, in response to Thanet Conservatives decision to readmit Councillor Ken Gregory into its Council Group, depite the fact he has NOT apologised for saying "WITH A BIT OF LUCK YOU'LL GET AIDS" to an LGBT Councillor
"Not Thanet Conservatives again" At what stage will Cameron be forced to intervene?
Public Information Warning: This blog is not part of any other blog or organisation despite its unauthorised and edited reproduction by Westgate-On-Sea Councillor Simon Moores, whose behaviour is irresponsible and potentially damaging to the repuation of the Conservative Party.
Those concerned about the party's reputation should
contact Conservative Headquarters on 020 7222 9000 or 027 7984 8165
STATEMENT FROM PETER TATCHELL
HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGNER
"It is very wrong for the Conservative group to readmit Ken Gregory when he has failed to apologise or show any remorse" The reputation of the Conservative Party is on the line. Is it still the nasty party?"
"Until he says sorry, many people will assume that councillor Gregory stands by his offensive remarks. It is appalling that any elected public official would wish a potentially fatal disease on another human being - and then fail to apologise"
Hate Crime Councillor Ken Gregory
"In the absence of an apology, he should not be readmitted to the council group - and should be suspended from the Conservative party. If the Tories want to be taken seriously as a tolerant and compassionate party, they should have nothing to do with him until he says sorry" said human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell.
Those concerned about the Conservative Party's reputation should contact Conservative Headquarters on 020 7222 9000 or 027 7984 8165
Thanet Conservative Leader Bob Bayford pictured with his predecessor Sandy Ezekiel recently said: "I'm not going to ask Ken to apologise, he is going be readmitted to the Group" Telephone Tory HQ:020 7222 9000 Senior North Thanet Conservative Association Member
former deputy leader Roger Latchford OBE
Council Tax is to rise in Thanet at a time when Roger Latchford, and his intolerant chums, are costing hard working taxpayers thousands of pounds by making failed standards complaints against the same LGBT councillor that Ken Gregory made a death wish against. Many decent Conservatives are privately sickened by the "Ken Gregory" mindset that appears to dominate the local party, and they blame the outdated wing of the party for costing them power due to the LGBT councillor resigning the Tory whip. The LGBT councillor has said that Cllr Gregory's voice mail was not the first time he was verbally abused because of his sexuality Telephone Tory HQ:020 7222 9000
by the newly formed KENT EQUALITY CAMPAIGN, in response to Thanet Conservatives decision to allow Councillor Ken Gregory back into their Council Group depite the fact that he has NOT apologised for leaving a voice mail on an LGBT councillor's phone saying "WITH A BIT OF LUCK YOU'LL GET AIDS" http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-18283476 A STATEMENT FROM PETER TATCHELL HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGNER
"It is very wrong for the Conservative group to readmit Ken Gregory when he has failed to apologise or show any remorse. The reputation of the Conservative Party is on the line. Is it still the nasty party?"
"Until he says sorry, many people will assume that councillor Gregory stands by his offensive remarks. It is appalling that any elected public official would wish a potentially fatal disease on another human being - and then fail to apologise"
"In the absence of an apology, he should not be readmitted to the council group - and should be suspended from the Conservative party. If the Tories want to be taken seriously as a tolerant and compassionate party, they should have nothing to do with him until he says sorry" said human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell.
Senior North Thanet Conservative Association Member
former deputy leaderRoger Latchford OBE
Council Tax is going up in Thanet at a time when Roger Latchford and his intolerant chums are costing hard working taxpayers thousands of pounds by making failed standards complaints against the same LGBT councillor that Ken Gregory made a death wish against. Many decent Conservatives are privately sick to the teeth of the "Ken Gregory Mindset" that appears to dominate the local party, and blame the wing of the party that Mr Lachford belongs to for costing them power.
ANIMAL WELFARE
Former Thanet Conservative Councillor
Ted Wat-Ruffell, Former Thanet Con Mayor was unkind to his CAT
Colleagues
I am writing to let you know that I have extremely serious concerns about comments made on Councillor Mick Harrison's Newington Blogspot. I will be raising my concerns in the form of a complaint to the Labour Party and the Council's Standards Committee.
As some of you might know I used to be the Council's Equalities Officer and simply could not let Harrison's comments go unchallenged. In my opinion Harrison's comments are so offensive that I had no choice but to alert the media and set up a Facebook site Thanet Says Stand down Harrison.
I have been informed that as a result of my actions in raising this issue a campaign might be set in train to discredit me. Before this campaign begins I will let you know what I think the whispers might say:
1. I was in Militant Tendency. Yes I was in the early 1980 and proud of it!
2. I was a Member of Arthur Scargill's Socialist Labour Party. Yes. I was in mid 1990s and stood as parliamentary candidate in Vauxhall. I later led the opposition against Scargill’s dictatorial leadership of the party, was expelled and retired from politics until I rejoined the Thanet Labour Party
5. I am a republican. Yes I am so what
But if this does not silence the whispering then you need to know that whilst I was Southwark Councillor in the 1990 I became a close personal friend of a councillor who was arrested and imprisoned for 15 months in 2011 for internet grooming. I was unaware of his crime until he told me shortly after his arrest. I totally deplore his crime. He is rightly being severely punished, but I still remain his friend.
The BBC local lunchtime news reported today that the leader of the TIG independent group in Thanet, Cllr John Worrow, has resigned.;
