‘Racist’ photo storm to be probed by council

Mansfield District Council has said it was looking into a complaint made against UKIP councillor, Sid Walker, when he shared the snap of a toy spider wearing a turban with the title ‘Jihaddy Long Legs’.

It sparked an online debate, with some defending him while others said it was racist.

Coun Walker then responded to one shocked Facebook user by calling her a ‘left wing b*tch’. The posts were later deleted.

Meic Sullivan-Gould, interim monitoring officer at the council said: “A complaint has been received that the members’ code of conduct has been breached and that complaint is currently being considered.”

The Chad contact Coun Walker, but he did not want to comment on the issue.

Sonya Ward, leader of the Labour group on the council, says Coun Walker had shown ‘very poor judgement’ in his actions.

She said: “He has recently been appointed to chair the audit committee, an important role which demands integrity and the ability to act in a balanced and fair manner at all times.

“I trust the council will deal with this matter seriously, and will do whatever needs to be done to ensure Coun Walker cannot further damage the reputation of the council. He should be clear that it is his duty as both a councillor and the chair of a committee to serve the people.”

Coun Walker won his Newlands ward seat on Mansfield District Council during May’s elections.

Prior to this, it was found that his name had been on a lost of BNP members, although he denied ever being a member of the far-right party.