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Apology after Stafford council manager's soldier slur Apology after Stafford council manager's soldier slur
(34 minutes later)
A council licensing manager who said soldiers in the town "take drugs, get drunk and start fights" has apologised. A council licensing manager who said soldiers in his town "take drugs, get drunk and start fights" has apologised.
Tony Potts made the comments during a Stafford Borough Council meeting streamed online.Tony Potts made the comments during a Stafford Borough Council meeting streamed online.
It was part of a discussion about the number of bars in the centre of town.It was part of a discussion about the number of bars in the centre of town.
Council leader Patrick Farrington said the comments were not the views of the authority, while Mr Potts said "it was never my intention to make any slur on our soldiers." Council leader Patrick Farrington said the comments were not the views of the authority, while Mr Potts said "it was never my intention to make any slur on our soldiers".
'Young lads''Young lads'
About 1,000 troops from 16 Signal Regiment and 1 Armoured Division Signal Regiment, who had been based in Germany, are in the process of moving into MoD Stafford at Beacon Barracks.About 1,000 troops from 16 Signal Regiment and 1 Armoured Division Signal Regiment, who had been based in Germany, are in the process of moving into MoD Stafford at Beacon Barracks.
At a licensing meeting last week, Mr Potts cited the influx of soldiers as a "concern", calling them "young lads with too much money in their pockets, who have a few beers, a shot or two of cocaine, there we go".At a licensing meeting last week, Mr Potts cited the influx of soldiers as a "concern", calling them "young lads with too much money in their pockets, who have a few beers, a shot or two of cocaine, there we go".
He said: "There are problems happening now. They finish Thursday afternoon and want to come into Stafford to spend money.He said: "There are problems happening now. They finish Thursday afternoon and want to come into Stafford to spend money.
"However there are the minority who drink and [take] drugs. Drugs is an issue within the British Army anyway."However there are the minority who drink and [take] drugs. Drugs is an issue within the British Army anyway.
"It is something we are aware of and this night-time economy strategy will address that.""It is something we are aware of and this night-time economy strategy will address that."
Mr Farrington said: "Our officers have worked extremely hard to ensure that all the troops returning from Germany this year will be made to feel very welcome.Mr Farrington said: "Our officers have worked extremely hard to ensure that all the troops returning from Germany this year will be made to feel very welcome.
"We are pleased and proud of our great relationship with MOD Stafford and the support we give to them demonstrates how much we value their presence.""We are pleased and proud of our great relationship with MOD Stafford and the support we give to them demonstrates how much we value their presence."
Mr Potts said: "I apologise unreservedly for the comments made."Mr Potts said: "I apologise unreservedly for the comments made."