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Brighton councillor 'breached code' over 'hired killers' tweet Brighton councillor breached code over 'hired killers' tweet
(35 minutes later)
A councillor who referred to the armed forces as "hired killers" has been found guilty of breaching the authority's code of conduct. A councillor who referred to the armed forces as "hired killers" has been found guilty of two breaches of the authority's code of conduct.
Brighton and Hove councillor Ben Duncan also tweeted that his daughter could be "stoned to death" for pressing flowers in a book about Islam Brighton and Hove councillor Ben Duncan also tweeted that his daughter could be "stoned to death" for pressing flowers in a book about Islam.
He apologised, but was thrown out of the local Green party on 9 July. The council's standards panel formally censured Mr Duncan.
He appeared before the council's standards committee. It found he had breached its code on both counts. Members also recommended that he is removed from his position as deputy chairman of the licensing committee.
On 16 June, Mr Duncan tweeted: "Blasphemous 7yo wants 'Islam book' to press flowers in (it's big and heavy). Should I stone her to death when I get home from work?" Mr Duncan has 10 days to appeal against the decision.
And on 28 June, he tweeted: "Armed Forces Day has certainly brought the hired killers on to the streets of Brighton today."
'Freedom of expression''Freedom of expression'
Following dozens of complaints he was charged with two counts of breaching the council's code of conduct. He was charged with two counts of breaching the council's code of conduct after dozens of complaints.
For both tweets it ruled he "did not treat others with respect" and he conducted himself in a manner which could "reasonably be regarded" as bringing his "office or authority into disrepute". On 16 June, Mr Duncan tweeted: "Blasphemous 7yo wants 'Islam book' to press flowers in (it's big and heavy). Should I stone her to death when I get home from work?"
During the hearing he argued the council's code of conduct should not take precedence over his freedom of expression, guaranteed in the European Convention on Human Rights. And on 28 June, he tweeted: "Armed Forces Day has certainly brought the hired killers onto the streets of Brighton today."
He apologised, but was thrown out of the local Green Party on 9 July.
For both tweets, the council ruled he "did not treat others with respect" and he conducted himself in a manner which could "reasonably be regarded" as bringing his "office or authority into disrepute".
During the hearing, Mr Duncan argued the council's code of conduct should not take precedence over his freedom of expression, guaranteed in the European Convention on Human Rights.
He was asked by panel member councillor Leo Littman whether in retrospect it had been wise to publish either of the tweets.He was asked by panel member councillor Leo Littman whether in retrospect it had been wise to publish either of the tweets.
He replied: "It has led to a series of events which has seen my removal from the Green Party and I am now unemployed.He replied: "It has led to a series of events which has seen my removal from the Green Party and I am now unemployed.
"In retrospect I would not want to have seen any of that happen.""In retrospect I would not want to have seen any of that happen."
The tweets in June were not the first time Mr Duncan, who stood as the Green Party's candidate in Brighton Kemptown in the 2010 general election, has been in trouble for his use of social media.The tweets in June were not the first time Mr Duncan, who stood as the Green Party's candidate in Brighton Kemptown in the 2010 general election, has been in trouble for his use of social media.
In May 2012 he apologised after he tweeted: "I only smoke weed when I'm murdering, raping and looting."In May 2012 he apologised after he tweeted: "I only smoke weed when I'm murdering, raping and looting."