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'Execute travellers' Tory councillor Alan Mellins suspended | 'Execute travellers' Tory councillor Alan Mellins suspended |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A Tory councillor from Berkshire who joked that travellers refusing eviction should be "executed" has been suspended by his party. | A Tory councillor from Berkshire who joked that travellers refusing eviction should be "executed" has been suspended by his party. |
Cox Green councillor Alan Mellins made the remark at a Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead council meeting on Monday. | Cox Green councillor Alan Mellins made the remark at a Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead council meeting on Monday. |
He later apologised and said the remark was not to be taken seriously. | He later apologised and said the remark was not to be taken seriously. |
The borough's Conservative Party called the comment "deplorable" and one that was "not tolerated" by the party. | The borough's Conservative Party called the comment "deplorable" and one that was "not tolerated" by the party. |
The remark was made at Maidenhead Town Hall when councillors were discussing the length of time to evict travellers who did not have planning permission. | The remark was made at Maidenhead Town Hall when councillors were discussing the length of time to evict travellers who did not have planning permission. |
Windsor and Maidenhead Conservative Party leader David Burbage said the comment was "being taken extremely seriously". | Windsor and Maidenhead Conservative Party leader David Burbage said the comment was "being taken extremely seriously". |
Mr Mellins has been suspended from the party and from his council positions pending further investigation. | Mr Mellins has been suspended from the party and from his council positions pending further investigation. |
Chair of the Gypsy Council Joseph Jones said the suspension was "the least that should happen". | |
He added: "I hope it will continue to be taken seriously, I've seen similar incidents happen in the past when a councillor is suspended but then it gets swept under the carpet and the next thing you know he's back bright-eyed and bushy-tailed." |
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