Yesterday afternoon, Cllr George Perfect, Leader of the Medway Conservatives wrote the following letter to Cllr Vince Maple, Leader of Medway Labour:
Dear Councillor Maple,
I am writing following concerning behaviour and allegations involving one of your Councillors, and one of your suspended Councillors over the past twenty-four hours. I write with reference to both in-turn:
Councillor Lauren Edwards MP
Deeply concerning posts have come to light from a period from 2009 until 2012, in which Councillor Edwards tweets divisive and reprehensible views, including on 20th June 2009 at 23:32 using highly offensive language about “Estonians”, and deeply inappropriate comments about The Lord Hague of Richmond on 1st September 2010 at 19:36.
Councillor Satinder Shokar
Councillor Shokar currently sits as an independent member of the council, following your party suspending the Labour whip from him in February of this year. Councillor Shokar yesterday (7th August), ignored the advice from the Council and Kent Police to not attend the counter protest in Chatham, and then was filmed by BBC Kent chanting “Nazi scum”, inflaming an already difficult situation. I note that you did not answer a request for comment from the BBC when asked about this matter earlier this morning.
I am seeking reassurance from you that members of your group present and future will uphold the Nolan Principles, and Medway Council’s commitment to treating everyone with fairness and respect. I would ask that you commit to an independent investigation into both of these matters.
As this involves a Member of Parliament, I am copying this letter to the Chair of the Conservative & Unionist Party, Richard Fuller CBE MP, and your Party Chair, Ellie Reeves MP. Given the local and national interest in this matter, I will also be making this letter public.
I look forward to hearing from you.
With every good wish,
Councillor George Perfect
Leader of the Medway Conservative Group and Leader of the Opposition of Medway Council
