TORY party Co-Chairman Amanda Milling has written a personal letter to Warrington North Labour MP Charlotte Nichols apologising for “antisemitic and discriminatory” comments posted on social media by a Conservative party election candidate.
Saying “sorry” for the comments she wrote “no one should be subject to those abhorrent views” adding that the party’s complaints team were now looking into all allegations made against Warrington Conservatives.
Welcoming the letter Ms Nichols, who is Jewish, took to twitter yesterday posting a screenshot of a tweet from Great Sankey North prospective candidate Sharon Thomason from last year in a response to a tweet about Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his partner Carrie Symonds expecting a baby, saying: “Keep the Aryan race going…”
The MP took to twitter posting: “This far right troll is Sharon Thomason, who Warrington Conservatives have selected as their council candidate for Great Sankey North and Whittle Hall- if you wanted a feel for the calibre of candidates they’re selecting locally.
Warrington Borough Council Leader Cllr Russ Bowden joined in the twitter debate posting: “Lauding the Aryan race to a Jewish woman MP? Simply disgusting and inexcusable conduct – incredible to think that Warrington Tories believe that she is fit to be their candidate, let alone fit for public office.”
Commenting on the incident later Ms Nichols said:”I was appalled to hear that Sharon Thomason had been selected as a Conservative candidate for the upcoming council elections, given her history of far-right trolling online. It is inconceivable to suggest that Warrington Conservatives were not aware of such comments before selecting her, given both that I had raised this with Wendy Maisey previously, and that this campaign of harassment appears to have been co-ordinated in now leaked WhatsApp threads of the local Conservative association viewed and indeed encouraged by Wendy Maisey.
I expect a full apology and hope that the Party Chair Amanda Milling will ensure a thorough investigation into the conduct and culture of Warrington Conservatives.
“This is not how we should do politics and Warrington deserves better”.
Ms Nichols added: “I welcome the letter received today from Amanda Milling apologising for anti-semitic and discriminatory comments I have been subjected to by members of Warrington Conservatives and confirming that an investigation is taking place. I hope to see further action in due course.”
Ms Thomason and Wendy Maisey were both asked to comment but it was referred to Tory HQ to make a statement.
A Conservative Party spokesperson said: “These comments are totally unacceptable.
“Sharon Thomason was suspended from the Party and is no longer a member.
“Ms Thomason will no longer be standing as a Conservative candidate in the local elections.”
I welcome this letter received today from @amandamilling apologising for antisemitic and discriminatory comments made about me by members of Warrington Conservatives and confirming that an investigation is taking place.
I hope to see further action in due course. pic.twitter.com/1BtW3E0nJy
— Charlotte Nichols (@charlotte2153) February 9, 2021
This far right troll is Sharon Thomason, who Warrington Conservatives have selected as their council candidate for Great Sankey North and Whittle Hall- if you wanted a feel for the calibre of candidates they’re selecting locally. pic.twitter.com/atSxlHkGCL
— Charlotte Nichols (@charlotte2153) February 2, 2021
Lauding the Aryan race to a Jewish woman MP? Simply disgusting and inexcusable conduct – incredible to think that Warrington Tories believe that she is fit to be their candidate, let alone fit for public office
— Cllr Russ Bowden (@CllrRussBowden) February 2, 2021
