Calls for Dudley councillor to go despite apology for 'inappropriate' social media posts

Dudley’s Labour politicians are continuing calls for a Reform UK councillor to be removed despite his apology for ‘inappropriate’ social media posts.

Cllr Caley Ashman told members of the authority at November’s meeting of full council he was sorry for his use of the term ‘goyslop’, which is widely regarded as anti-Semitic, along with other remarks he admitted were in poor taste.

Cllr Ashman made the remarks on social media before he was elected but his party was facing calls to remove him in the wake of TV revelations in October showing councillors at other authorities making racist comments which resulted in party members being suspended.

Cllr Ashman said: “I acknowledge that some of the language I used was inappropriate and fell below the standards that people rightly expect from an elected representative.

“I sincerely apologise to anyone who has been offended or hurt by my words. I want to make clear that these historical posts are not representative of my everyday conduct, the way I treat other people or the values I seek to demonstrate.”

Cllr Ashman said he believed goyslop referred to poor quality TV and film content and did not intend to be derogatory to Jewish people, he also acknowledged other comments were inappropriate and should not have been shared online.

His apology did not impress Dudley’s Labour group leader, Cllr Shaukat Ali, who said he did not see ‘an ounce of remorse from Cllr Ashman’.

Cllr Ali added: “His words felt hollow and did little to convince he truly understands the seriousness of what was said or the impact it has had on members of our community.

“This has never been about political point-scoring. Leaders from across the political parties came together, alongside our borough’s MPs because these comments crossed a line.

“An apology is only meaningful if it is accompanied by genuine remorse, residents will make their own judgement on whether that standard has been met.”

Halesowen’s Labour MP, Alex Ballinger, also waded in with an attack on Reform UK for not removing Cllr Ashman.

Mr Ballinger said: “Reform UK will no doubt consider this matter closed but the facts are clear, Cllr Ashman is unfit for public office and must go.”

Dudley Reform UK’s leader, Cllr Marco Longhi, has accused Labour politicians of hypocrisy over anti-Semitism; in 2020 the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said their investigation ‘points to a culture’ within Labour which, ‘at best, did not do enough to prevent anti-Semitism and, at worst, could be seen to accept it’.

Cllr Longhi added Cllr Ashman has been a ‘model’ councillor who has given no reason for his leader to doubt his integrity.

The Labour Party says anti-Semitism is racist and unacceptable both within the party and in wider society.