Mayor of Walsall sorry over Facebook comment calling a resident 'embittered and full of self pity'

Labour Councillor Kath Phillips made the comments after Wayne Skippy had asked for her help in having some trees pruned outside his home.

Mr Skippy said he was not getting any light into his property and asked Councillor Phillips to get involved. But after she said she was not in favour of cutting trees and that people had to 'wait their turn' for pruning, the conversation turned nasty.

Mr Skippy said 'every time I have asked for your help you have never helped'.

But the councillor shot back referring to matters in which she had helped him previously.

She then went on to say: "Seems to me you are embittered and full of self pity.

She has now deleted the comment on Facebook. In a statement she said: "I sincerely regret getting into the argument with a constituent on Facebook, I fully retract the comments I made to Mr Skippy and unreservedly apologise for any offence caused.

"I posted comments, without thinking, in the heat of the moment – and of course someone in my position should know better.

"It is vitally important that constituents feel they can approach their councillor with any local issues they are concerned about and I encourage local residents to continue to approach myself and other councillors with their concerns."

A spokesman for Walsall Council added: "The Council has been made aware of an exchange between a councillor and a resident.

"The council understands that an apology has been issued by the councillor."

Councillor Mike Bird, leader of the Conservative group, said: "She has done the right thing and apologised.

"Tempers do get frayed because constituents do not realise this job is a thankless task.

"I do not know the merits of this incident but there are times when I would like to be critical of people and I'm sure I have been.

"I think this shows the dangers of social media."

When contacted, Mr Skippy said he did not wish to comment.