WARRINGTON Lib Dem group leader Bob Barr has written to Conservative Party Co-Chairman Amanda Milling, seeking the outcome of an investigation into “abhorrent views” in a leaked WhattsApp group message.
He also believes further matters need investigation within the party following the selection of candidates linked with far-right and anti-Islamic views at the Warrington Borough Council elections in May.
Cllr Barr said: “Given the serious allegations made against the Warrington Conservatives I feel it is important that CCHQ should be pressed to make the results of their investigation public even though they have, conveniently, delayed any response until after the local elections.”
In his letter to Ms Milling Cllr Barr points out that she had written to Warrington North Labour MP Charlotte Nichols on February 9 promising an investigation into the Warrington Conservatives.
He wrote: “The letter was necessary because of the “abhorrent views” expressed in a leaked WhatsApp conversation between the local Party Chair and a prospective Borough Council candidate for the local elections.
“I would be grateful if you could let me know whether the investigation into the Warrington Conservatives has been concluded, and whether the results have been made public.”
In his letter, Cllr Barr also stated that in light of a report into Islamophobia in the Conservative Party, he believes there are further matters that need to be investigated in the Warrington Party.
He highlighted that the Conservative candidate, selected to fight the Lymm North and Thelwall ward, had previously Tweeted that he was a “registered Tommy Robinson supporter”.
“That “misjudgment” was deemed insufficient to drop him as a candidate and, as a result, his name appeared on ballot papers as a Conservative candidate and Conservative election material was produced for him.
“Subsequently another Tweet from him came to light which specifically praised Tommy Robinson’s anti-Islamic views. At this stage, too late to remove his name from the ballot, he was dropped as a Conservative candidate.
“How a candidate with such a record of extreme views passed the Warrington Party’s selection procedure needs to be explained and justified.”
He went on to say: “This is not an isolated incident. The former Chair of UKIP in Warrington ran as a Conservative candidate. While a decent man, he had refused previously to denounce Nigel Farage’s use of the “Breaking Point” poster during the Brexit Referendum. That poster was widely regarded as pandering to anti-Islamic sentiments.
“The Warrington Conservatives also appear to welcome former Brexit Party candidates and supporters, despite the anti-Islamic record of major figures in that Party.
He concluded: “The residents of Warrington deserve to see the outcome of the Conservative Party’s investigation into the Warrington Party and to hear what actions the Party is taking as a result.”
The Conservative Party was approached for a response but declined to comment and at the time of press, Cllr Barr said he had not received any response to the letter.
