County councillor, 72, is arrested over racist Facebook posts that call Diane Abbott a ‘monkey’

A county councillor has been arrested over ‘racist and bigoted’ Facebook posts, including one in which he referred to Shadow Home Secretary Dianne Abbot as a ‘monkey’.

Richard Alderman, who was elected as a ward councillor for Rutland County Council last week, said ‘the monkey is out of her tree again send it to the animal labs’.

In another one of the posts Independent councillor Alderman, of Oakham, called for Theresa May to be ‘hanged for treason’.

When asked by the Mail Online about the posts Alderman, who is paid a basic allowance of £3,770 per annum, declined to comment  

Richard Alderman called Dianne Abbott a monkey in one of a series of ‘racist and bigoted’ posts

The council condemned the apparent actions of Alderman (pictured) and has referred the matter to its monitoring officer and Leicestershire Police

The council condemned the apparent actions of Alderman (pictured) and has referred the matter to its monitoring officer and Leicestershire Police

In another of his posts he called for Prime Minister Theresa May to be hanged for treason

In another he said that Labour should ban black candidates  standing in certain elections to increase the number of white members

In another he said that Labour should ban black candidates standing in certain elections to increase the number of white members

Leicestershire Police, which covers Rutland, arrested a 72-year-old man today under the Communications Act 2003 in relation to a number of comments made on social media. The man, from Oakham, was released under investigation this afternoon. 

In another post, Alderman said that Labour should ban black candidates standing in certain elections to increase the number of white members. 

The council condemned Alderman’s apparent actions and referred the matter to its monitoring officer and Leicestershire Police.

Councillor Oliver Hemsley, leader of Rutland County Council, said : ‘Like all of you, I have been truly shocked and appalled by the updates that have been posted and shared on Councillor Richard Alderman’s Facebook page.

‘We wholly condemn the use of racist and bigoted behaviour. This is not acceptable in our communities or our council. 

‘The views expressed on councillor Alderman’s Facebook page have no place in our society and there can be absolutely no justification for this kind of conduct.

‘It is now abundantly clear that Cllr Alderman is unfit to hold public office and it is inconceivable that his constituents will want him to remain in place as their representative. He should therefore resign immediately. 

‘Councillor Alderman signed the Acceptance of Office on Friday 13th July, in which he agreed to abide by the Members’ Code of Conduct.

‘Having reviewed his comments, I believe that he is in breach of the Members’ Code of Conduct and I have referred this to the Council’s Monitoring Officer. We have also referred the matter to the Police.’

Councillor Oxley, leader of the council’s Independent Group, distanced himself from Alderman and slammed his apparent behaviour.

He said: ‘I am disgusted to read the newly elected Councillor’s comments on Facebook. He is not affiliated with the council’s Independent group. I wholly support the action being taken by Councillor Hemsley and Rutland County Council and trust the authorities to deal with this sufficiently.’

Speaking to the BBC, a spokesman for Leicestershire Police said it had been ‘made aware’ of the comments ‘that appear to be of a racist and malicious nature’, and was investigating the posts.

The Leicester Mercury reported that Alderman was arrested today over the posts. 

In the post about the Prime Minister, Alderman said: ‘Hang the b***h publicly for treason’.  

The comments, which were reported as being inappropriate in their nature, were reported to police on Monday.

Dianne Abbot spoke out in April about receiving a torrent of abuse online.

She said the horrific messages include threats to kill or rape her as well as frequent use of the N-word.  

The Labour politician said she receives so many abusive messages that her staff cannot handle them every day and have to send a bundle to the police once a week.  

Earlier this year, pensioner, Roy Douglas Brown was handed a community order after he threatened to murder Diane Abbott and burn her alive in a racist letter.   



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