Distasteful comments about Baroness Thatcher’s death led to an Oldham councillor being forced to apologise for causing offence in an online forum.
Oldham Council received a complaint from a member of the public after Royton North councillor Tony Larkin posted ‘Ding dong the witch is dead’ on the eRoyton website.
The former Prime Minister’s death has highlighted a huge divide in public opinion over the ‘Iron Lady’, and the council confirmed it was investigating the matter.
“In accordance with due process it would be inappropriate for us to comment any further at this stage,” a spokesman told BBC News.
Cllr Larkin has already apologised for the post – which has since been deleted – in a separate comment on the forum.
He wrote: “nothing to do with Labour or Tory, I just could not stand the women and I for one will not mourn her passing.
“I am sorry if my comment caused offence. I did not share her politics but I realise that there are many mourning Thatcher’s passing.”
Cllr Larkin served as a councillor between 1996 and 2000 and is approaching ten years in office in his second spell following re-election in 2003.
The Labour man’s position on the council include chair of the Royton, Shaw & Crompton District Partnership committee and vice-chair of the planning committee.
Baroness Thatcher, Prime Minister between 1979 and 1990, died on Monday aged 87 following a stroke.
Image courtesy of University of Salford, via Flickr, with thanks.
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