Dudley councillor apologises for 'offensive' social media posts

A Black Country councillor has apologised for offensive comments made on social media before his election, saying he was not aware of the meaning of some of the terms he had used.

Councillor Caley Ashman issued a statement during last night’s (November 2) meeting of Dudley Council, apologising for allegedly racist and homophobic comments he had posted last year.

A letter signed by the leaders of the Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat and Black Country Party groups on the council had called on Reform UK to suspend Councillor Ashman for the posts, in which he used the antisemitic term “goy-slop” and said: “You shouldn’t let foreigners look after the young or old as they don’t care about you.”

The letter was also signed by the borough’s four Labour MPs.

He also shared a post including an offensive remark about the openly gay Scottish conservative commentator Douglas Murray.

Councillor Ashman told the council: “I acknowledge 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. In particular, the use of the term ‘goy-slop’ was in the context of internet slang, referring to what I consider to be poor quality television and film content; it was not intended as a derogatory reference to Jewish people, or as an expression of antisemitism.

“However, I now recognise that the term has offensive associations, and that I should have exercised better judgement in using it.

“With regard to the other comments and language highlighted, I accept that some were in very poor taste, inappropriate, and should not have been posted or shared.

“I want to make clear that these historical posts are not representative of my everyday conduct, the way I treat other people, all values that I seek to demonstrate.”

Councillor Ashman said that he believed everyone deserved to be treated with dignity, fairness and respect, regardless of their background or circumstances.

“I am not seeking to excuse poor judgement, I accept responsibility for my words, and accept that being an elected representative carries a responsibility to set an example.”

Councillor Shaukat Ali, leader of the Labour group on the council, questioned whether Councillor Ashman had really changed his views since making the posts.

“It cannot be that, once elected, your beliefs and views suddenly change or disappear.”

Councillor Sam Hussey, Reform UK member for Wordsley North, said social media had become a “free for all” for certain councillors.

“I get it, this is politics, we can have our jibes and our jabs, it comes with the territory,” he said.

“But I have never, and will never, personally attack someone. And when I see councillors getting into arguments in full view of the public, with residents imploring councillors to just stop and behave like the adults that they are, what kind of message does it send to residents?

“There are councillors in this chamber I have great respect for. There are certain members, however, that need to realise and remember why we are here.”

Councillor Patrick Harley, Conservative leader of the council, spoke of a need to “take the temperature down”.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Ryan Priest questioned why Reform selected a candidate “whose social media remarks were littered with homophobic, racist and ableist remarks”, although accepted that his selection had been made by the wider party rather than the Dudley Reform group itself.

“I accept that member has apologised tonight, time will tell how sincere that apology was.”

Councillor Shaun Keasey, deputy leader of the Reform group, said he agreed with what Councillor Priest had said, but pointed out that he failed to make any reference to Liberal Democrats who had said similar things.

He also said he had witnessed a Labour member being “homophobically screamed at in this very council building by a member of their own party”.