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.
I support the decision of Councillor Mike Harrison's group to suspend him for making Homophobic comments.
Although Mr Harrison's remarks are not at the same extreme level of hatred as the personally directed telephone call from Councillor Ken Gregory, they are still offensive enough to justify a suspension.
Dr. Jack Cohen, Councillor John Worrow and I and met with Stuart Baine Chief Executive of the East Kent Hospital Trust for more than 2 hours today. We requested the meeting to talk about the transfer of trauma services from Margate A&E to Ashford. It quickly emerged that this was the tip of an iceberg.
Mr Baine told us thatover the next 3 months the Hospital Trust will be conducting a major strategic review of its clinical services which extends muchfurther than A&E trauma services.
The review will be looking at emergency out of hours surgery, coronary , orthopaedic,cancer and other services. The review is likely to mean that some of theseservices could be moved from one Trust hospital to another to create centres ofexcellence. This means that a lot more specialsit services could be moved from QEQM, but Mr Baine also said that other services could be moved into QEQM. Mr Baine explained that these changes would in his opinion lead to improved care for patients. Mr Baine told us thata lot more work had to be done to develop all the options. He hoped that this work would be completed by September. A consultation document would then be produced and there would be a 12 week consultation period and the public and Thanet council will be entitled to submit their views. The earliest that change could happen would be in 2013. Mr Baine said that there were no hidden agenda and the consultation would transparent and above. Becuse the issue has become more complicated and involved thanjust the A&E, and because we will not know what the Hospital Trusts plansare until at least September we do not think that a public meeting at this time would behelpful as no-one knows the full picture. The last thing we want to do is wastepeople time and energy when we don’t know the full proposals. Stuart Baine said he will keep us informed all developmentsand we will pass on any information as soon as we hear. Once we have all the infomation we can then look at building the campign, organising meetings and petitions etc to stop any reductions at QEQM I hope this clarifies what is happening at QEQM
Councillor Ian Driver, TIG Spokesman for Communities & Housing
Here we have three quite different politicians that have fairly right wing views. However, they all have one thing in common, they do not agree with the President of the United States or the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Island, when it comes to marriage equality.
Do I represent modern Europe?
Not one of them is known for promoting LGBT equality. One is a President, one an MEP and the other is an MP belonging to the same political party as the British Prime Minister. Many people supported the British Conservative Party, including LGBT people because David Cameron promised them full LGBT equality.Equality does not mean having a third rate term to discribe your marriage.Fair enough if the odd backbencher like Canterbury MP Julian Brazia have views on LGBT equality that are closer to other parties, but why allow them to call themselves modern Conservatives?
It would appear that the UK now has two very different Conservative Parties, both claiming to speak for modern Britain
For those of you, who believe that institutional racism and homophobia is a thing of the past,think again.
Good old-fashioned bigotry is alive and well, as many cling to outdated views through fear and ignorance. Bigots can no longer run around in white hoods, but they can spread hate from their computers. Undertones might be subtle but they are unmistakable.
Expressions of hatred toward someone on account of that person's colour, race, nationality (including citizenship), ethnic or national origin, religion, or sexual orientation is forbidden. Any communication which is threatening, abusive or insulting, and is intended to harass, alarm, or distress someone is forbidden. The penalties for hate speech include fines, imprisonment, or both.
For those Birchington residents hoping to hear from our Leader, Cllr John Worrow at this evening's meeting at the village community centre, Thanet Life reports that he has now sent his apologies as a more pressing engagement calls.
It has come to my attention that a number of people were offended by a post on the Thanet Independent Group Blog. The post that I refer to was intended to be light hearted satire and in many ways similar to some of the posts made on Cllr Simon Moores' blog. It was made clear on the blog that the story was fictional;it was not directed towards any particular person. However, Cllrs Cohen and Driver thought that the post was inappropriate, and after reviewing the situation I came to the same conclusion, the post was subsequently removed and the blog was deleted. I would like to offer a sincere apology on behalf of the web team for any offence that may of been caused by the post.
Lock Ness has its monster, Cinderella has the two ungly sisters, but Minnis Bay has 'The Pig Monster'
MINNIS PIG WATCH
A press conference was held in Minnis Bay today to share the details surrounding what they claim is their "discovery" of a foot print from a 'Pig Monster'. The print was found on the green near the Minnis Pub Beach CAFE. It was discovered by Mr Dimwit of the angry bigots society who confirmed that the print was part human. Mr Dimwit said " I was so concerned that the Pig Monster might come back with more ugly pigs that I got together with my angry friends to form a new society called Minnis Pig Watch"
*The 'PIG MONSTER', thought to be female, has been spotted at local events pretending to be a Minnis Bay woman and is apparently so ungly it could not possibly be part human as first thought.
All Birchington Residents are called to the Village Centre (next to the library) on Monday Evening at 7PM on 21st May, where you will be able to question your District and Parish Cllrs, which include TIG's popular Leader John Worrow and Cllr Dr.Jack Cohen, at the Parish Council Assembly on our new and far-reaching diversity policies, our campaign in support of gay marriage, the forthcoming Minnis Bay 'Pride Weekend' and other equally pressing issues of concern.
The BBC local lunchtime news reported today that the leader of the TIG independent group in Thanet, Cllr John Worrow, has resigned.;
