Thursday 3 August 2017

Solihull councillor censured over Grenfell Fire tweet

A FORMER Mayor of Solihull, whose comments on Twitter following the Grenfell Tower fire caused a storm of controversy, "did not treat people with respect".
Councillor Ken Hawkins (Con, Blythe) was last week found to have breached Solihull Council's Code of Conduct as a result of comments posted on social media back in June.
At the heart of the row was a photo that Coun Hawkins had retweeted showing residents in West London protesting in the wake of the tower block blaze, in which scores of people died.
He had added the caption "Lets get ourselves a hangin!", a comment which led to a considerable backlash and calls for his resignation.
Many of those who responded believed the remark likened the demonstrators to "a mob".
Lea Ralston replied: "The community are not baying for a 'hangin' as you so ineptly tweeted @cllrken but for someone, anyone, to admit responsibility."
Coun Hawkins, who had been out discussing fire safety at high-rise blocks in North Solihull shortly before the controversy erupted, was stripped of his role as the cabinet member responsible for housing and issued a formal apology.
"In no way whatsoever was the short message directed at the unfortunate victims of the Grenfell Tower fire and I am distraught that some people have interpreted it in this way," he said at the time.
Last Wednesday a Code of Conduct panel considered the case and ruled that the former policeman "had failed to behave in accordance with the council's policies, procedures and protocols...did not act appropriately in regard to leadership and example, and did not treat people with respect."
It was recommended that he does not return to a cabinet position during the current municipal year (which runs until next spring) and he will be required to attend social media training.
Coun Hawkins accepted the findings and the sanctions imposed by the panel.

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