Latest news with #MarkBroadhurst
BBC News
29-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Reform UK expels Doncaster councillor over 'inappropriate' posts
A city councillor in Doncaster has been expelled from Reform UK over historic social media posts deemed "unacceptable" by party Broadhurst, who had been in post for just four weeks, will sit as an independent councillor after the party's decision to withdraw the whip on Guy Aston, Reform UK group leader, said the decision was a result of "inappropriate social media activity that does not reflect our values or standards: family, community, country."A Facebook page belonging to Broadhurst shared a post comparing black Islamic dress to "bin bags", and a now-deleted image which suggested Adolf Hitler would have been a "legend" if he had targeted Muslims. The Facebook page has since been made private, according to the Local Democracy Reporting the City of Doncaster Council annual general meeting last Friday, Mr Aston said the posts were not acceptable and were being investigated by the council."Councillors have a certain standard of behaviour. I have to say, I think that probably transgresses that," he said at the time. On Thursday, a spokesperson for Reform UK said: "The Doncaster Council Reform UK group has removed the whip following the conclusion of an internal investigation into councillor Broadhurst's social media activity."Before last week's AGM, the Reform UK group opted to not have the councillor represent the party on any authority committees or outside who was recently appointed deputy mayor of Hatfield Town Council, was one of two Reform UK councillors not to receive any posts on Broadhurst's Facebook page were swiftly condemned by Labour councillors in the town ward of Doncaster – the most ethnically diverse in the city.A statement from councillors Rob Dennis, Majid Khan and Gemma Cobby said: "We firmly express that Islamophobia, as well as all other forms of racism and prejudice, has no place in Doncaster."We represent all communities in the ward, not just those who vote for us, and we act in the confidence of our residents, both advocating and representing in their best interests."The trio extended an open invite to all councillors, including new Reform UK members, offering introductions to leaders of Doncaster's Muslim communities. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Reform quizzed over councillor's Facebook posts
Reform UK has refused to answer questions about a new Doncaster councillor whose Facebook account featured posts comparing black Islamic dress to bin bags. The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) approached the party after a number of posts on a Facebook account belonging to Councillor Mark Broadhurst went viral along with calls to "suspend him". The LDRS had asked whether the posts – including a since deleted image which suggested Adolf Hitler would be a "legend" had he targeted people following Islam – were acceptable to the party. A Reform UK spokesperson said the party would not be commenting on questions submitted by the LDRS. The party also declined to answer questions on whether any action would be taken against councillors who share offensive content on social media. Reform UK was asked why the posts were not flagged in the reportedly upgraded vetting process for political candidates but the party also declined to answer. Mr Broadhurst continues to work as a Reform UK representative for Hatfield ward on the City of Doncaster Council where the party has 37 seats. The overwhelming majority would normally have given Reform UK control of the council but - due to Labour winning the vote for the Mayor of Doncaster - executive control of the council remained with them. Reform UK's Alexander Jones was just 698 votes behind Labour's Ros Jones in the mayoral contest. Doncaster Council has said that following the election, all councillors had received training on the Councillor Code of Conduct which applies to them following their election and which sets out the expectations of them. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North The rise of Reform: Party takes Doncaster Council Reform UK selects group leader for city council Reform UK makes big gains in English local elections Doncaster Council
BBC News
15-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Doncaster Reform councillor's social media content questioned
Reform UK has refused to answer questions about a new Doncaster councillor whose Facebook account featured posts comparing black Islamic dress to bin Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) approached the party after a number of posts on a Facebook account belonging to Councillor Mark Broadhurst went viral along with calls to "suspend him".The LDRS had asked whether the posts – including a since deleted image which suggested Adolf Hitler would be a "legend" had he targeted people following Islam – were acceptable to the party. A Reform UK spokesperson said the party would not be commenting on questions submitted by the LDRS. The party also declined to answer questions on whether any action would be taken against councillors who share offensive content on social UK was asked why the posts were not flagged in the reportedly upgraded vetting process for political candidates but the party also declined to Broadhurst continues to work as a Reform UK representative for Hatfield ward on the City of Doncaster Council where the party has 37 overwhelming majority would normally have given Reform UK control of the council but - due to Labour winning the vote for the Mayor of Doncaster - executive control of the council remained with UK's Alexander Jones was just 698 votes behind Labour's Ros Jones in the mayoral Council has said that following the election, all councillors had received training on the Councillor Code of Conduct which applies to them following their election and which sets out the expectations of them. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
