Dudley's political leaders sign open letter calling for action against councillor over 'racist' posts

Dudley’s Conservative, Labour, and Liberal Democrat leaders have signed an open letter calling for Reform UK to take action against a councillor for allegedly making racist and homophobic comments on social media.

The letter, relating to posts made by Reform UK’s Councillor Caley Ashman, has also been signed by Dudley’s four Labour MPs and the leader of the Black Country Party.

They call on Councillor Marco Longhi, leader of the council’s opposition Reform group, to suspend Councillor Ashman over posts he made on X, formerly known as Twitter, before he was elected in May.

In the posts, Councillor Ashman used the antisemitic term ‘goy-slop’, and appeared to say ‘You shouldn’t let foreigners look after the young or old as they don’t care about you’.

He also shared an offensive post about the gay, Scottish conservative commentator Douglas Murray.

The letter is signed by MPs Alex Ballinger, Sonia Kumar, Cat Eccles and Antonia Bance, as well as Councillor Patrick Harley, Tory leader of Dudley Council, Labour group leader Councillor Shaukat Ali, Liberal Democrat leader Councillor Ryan Priest, and Councillor Steve Edwards, who leads the Black Country Party.

It said: “Every day Councillor Ashman continues to sit as a Reform UK councillor sends a clear message to residents: Reform UK condone this rhetoric.

“The question is, will you finally act and suspend Councillor Ashman, or will you continue to damage your own integrity by continuing to tolerate someone who has made extremely offensive comments, including antisemitic, homophobic and abuse targeted at disabled people.

“Residents of Dudley Borough deserve better. Do the decent thing and finally suspend Councillor Ashman.”

Mr Ballinger, Labour MP for Halesowen and Rowley Regis, said: “I proudly join with other political parties in signing this letter calling on the leader of Reform UK in Dudley borough, Councillor Marco Longhi, to suspend Councillor Caley Ashman

“It is frankly a disgrace that, despite growing concerns about Councillor Ashman’s online conduct, Reform UK continues to sit on its hands. Nigel Farage stated that all ‘bad apples were gone and that they will never have them back’.

“He continues to condone Cllr Ashman’s vile rhetoric by allowing him to sit as a Reform UK councillor.”

Mr Ballinger said the letter sent a clear message to Reform UK that racism, homophobia and ableism had no place in politics.

“While all political parties disagree, we share one fundamental principle: hateful and derogatory rhetoric has no place in our politics.”

Councillor Longhi was contacted for comment.

When Mr Ballinger previously raised the matter, Councillor Longhi said: "Instead of writing desperate letters, Mr Ballinger should look closer to home. Only two parties have been condemned by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission for antisemitism: the BNP and Labour.

“Yet he continues to sit on the same benches as Labour MPs such as Diane Abbott who continue to deny that anti-Jewish racism exists. Perhaps Mr Ballinger should practice what he preaches."