Candidate for Lutfur Rahman’s party says sorry for Ku Klux Klan slur
Cllr Peter Golds has contacted his lawyer and the police - Credit: Archant
A candidate for the mayor’s party has publicly apologised for calling a Conservative councillor a “Grand Wizard” of the Ku Klux Klan.
Council hopeful Stuart Madewell, who is standing in St Katherine’s and Wapping ward for Tower Hamlets First, made the remarks on Facebook about Conservative Cllr Peter Golds, who reported them to the police.
Commenting on an Advertiser story about the council spending £37,000 on lawyers over a Panorama report about the Mayor, Mr Madewell wrote: “The Knights of the Ku Klux Klan (Wapping Chapter) are supporting the edict of the Grand Imperial Wizard Peter Golds that Lutfur Rahman is not entitled to any legal representation, and definitely not at public expense.”
He added: “So put on your white robes and your pointed hats, bring your burning crosses and let’s have us a lynching Wapping style.”
The Ku Klux Klan were a racist cult group in America that hung Black people from trees.
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Commenting on the same Facebook post, Mr Madewell said: “I would like to apologise for the ill-advised remarks I made on this forum and for causing offence to Cllr Golds.”
The apology came after the Mayor’s office called on Madewell to say sorry, with a spokesman saying the Mayor “reminded Stuart of his responsibilities”.
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Cllr Golds said: “On the advice of my lawyer, I have made a complaint to the police under the Representation of the People Act 1983.
“I remain unsurprised that Lutfur Rahman has not withdrawn support for Stuart Madewell as a Tower Hamlets First candidate for May 22.
“It rather indicates how desperate Lutfur Rahman has been to find anybody to appear on the ballot with him.”
