‘No joking matter’ - South Tyneside Council leader slams offensive comments from a former councillor
The leader of South Tyneside Council has hit out at offensive comments made by a former Reform UK councillor.
South Tyneside Council’s leader has branded a former councillor’s offensive comments as “no joking matter”.
Alex Clarke, who was elected as a Reform UK councillor for the Harton ward, resigned from South Tyneside Council last week after HOPE not hate uncovered offensive comments made by him on a podcast.
Clarke had made a number of derogatory comments in relation to women drivers, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the city of Birmingham, and more.
Following his resignation, Clarke stated that his comments were “a joke” and that his podcast is a comedy‑based show.
‘The people of Harton deserve better’
However, Cllr Paul Mackings, leader of South Tyneside Council, has slammed the comments and apologised to constituents in Harton who had elected Clarke back in May.
Cllr Mackings said: “Alex Clarke's comments are something which are categorically unwelcome in Reform UK, and I strongly condemn the words which he used on a podcast.
“They were no joking matter.
“When we were made aware of these comments, Cllr Elsender, the Chief Whip, and I spoke with him and he resigned from Reform UK.
“He then subsequently resigned as a Councillor for the Harton ward.
“The people of Harton deserve better, and I can only apologise. We will be putting a strong fight in this ward and will select a hardworking and dedicated candidate to stand up for change.”
Cost of the upcoming by-election
Following Clarke’s resignation, a by-election is now set to be held in the Harton ward - with many expressing concerns online about the cost to the public to do so.
The borough’s top councillor has said that the local authority is exploring ways to ensure that it won’t cost taxpayer money to hold the upcoming by-election.
Cllr Mackings added: “Cllr Clarke was selected in the same way as each of the other 53 candidates which stood for Reform UK in South Tyneside and he was fully aware of what being a Councillor entailed, indeed he even put himself forward for numerous committees.
“I am proud of the hard work and dedication of the remaining 40 Reform UK Councillors in South Tyneside who are delivering real change for the Borough after decades of Labour monopoly.
“We are looking at all avenues to ensure that this resignation as a Councillor will not cost the taxpayer.”