Latest news with #IvanDabbs
BBC News
18-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Reform UK council leader stands by Northamptonshire councillors over X posts
The Reform UK leader of West Northamptonshire Council has stood by two councillors criticised for posts on social elected Ivan Dabbs was criticised by an MP for "disrespectful" comments online about King Charles III, while Ron Firman came under fire for posts made in 2017 and Arnull, who was appointed leader last week, said he was "looking forward to them joining the administration".Reform UK took political control of the authority after winning 42 seats in the recent local elections. Dabbs, elected for Reform in Deanshanger and Paulerspury, made comments on X about the king and monarchy - the tweet received several reposts from Britain MP for Northampton South Mike Reader said the councillor had "repeatedly disrespected the King, our monarchy, and country".Arnull said that Dabbs "got quite close to the line, but I don't believe he did cross the line". 'Happy to have them' Firman also came under fire for old tweets that were called offensive, sexist and racist. At the time, he was reminded of the code of conduct by East Hunsbury Parish Council, where he sat as a said: "The information on [Mr Firman] was in the public domain and he was duly elected."He added he had "spoken to" both councillors and he was "happy to have them as part of my administration".Since the elections, the council is now made up of 42 Reform councillors, 17 Conservatives, nine Labour, six Liberal Democrats and two Independent Tories had been in control of the council since the first elections for the authority in 2021, but lost control to reform in the elections earlier this month. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
MP criticises Reform UK over 'disrespectful' posts
The Labour MP for Northampton South has criticised a newly elected Reform UK councillor who he said "repeatedly disrespected the King, our monarchy, and country" on a social media account. Ivan Dabbs, who won his council seat as his party took control of West Northamptonshire Council at this month's local elections, made comments on the King and monarchy in his feed which also has several reposts from Britain First. Mike Reader MP said someone who "calls His Majesty a 'bullsh*t king' should not have the privilege of representing our community". Dabbs confirmed the account was his, but neither he nor his party has commented further. Reader said: "Mr Dabbs has repeatedly disrespected the King, our monarchy, and country. "The residents of Northamptonshire deserve better." According to his account Mr Dabbs, who represents the Deanshanger and Paulsbury ward, joined X in December 2024 and he last commented on it in May. Britain First campaigns on an anti-immigration message and has called for a halt to all further immigration except in specific cases. The group has developed a strong online following, attracting attention when one of its anti-Islamic videos was retweeted by US President Donald Trump. Dr Simon Weaver, reader in media and communications at Brunel University in west London, said: "Britain First are a British far-right, neo-fascist party that was formed in 2011 by a former British National Party (BNP) member. "They propagate an anti-Muslin, Islamophobic ideology and make wide use of online communication." The BBC has approached Ivan Dabbs and Reform UK but neither wanted to comment. Last year, party leader Nigel Farage told the BBC it would be vetting Reform UK hopefuls standing in May's local elections after controversial comments were made by a candidate for Bexhill and Battle during the 2024 general election. Last month Ron Firman, a Reform UK candidate for West Northamptonshire Council, was reminded of the code of conduct for the parish council he was on after offensive sexist and racist tweets on his old social media account emerged. Firman was elected to the Hunsbury Ward. The council's constitution includes a members' code of conduct which states it is intended to promote high standards of behaviour among councillors including an obligation to "treat others with respect". Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. West Northamptonshire Council Reform UK Reform UK take control of two Northants councils Reform candidate gets conduct reminder over tweets
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
MP critical of Northamptonshire Reform councillor's posts about King
The Labour MP for Northampton South has criticised a newly elected Reform UK councillor who he said "repeatedly disrespected the King, our monarchy, and country" on a social media Dabbs, who won his council seat as his party took control of West Northamptonshire Council at this month's local elections, made comments on the King and monarchy in his feed which also has several reposts from Britain Reader MP said someone who "calls His Majesty a 'bullsh*t king' should not have the privilege of representing our community".Dabbs confirmed the account was his, but neither he nor his party has commented further. Reader said: "Mr Dabbs has repeatedly disrespected the King, our monarchy, and country. "The residents of Northamptonshire deserve better."According to his account Mr Dabbs, who represents the Deanshanger and Paulsbury ward, joined X in December 2024 and he last commented on it in First campaigns on an anti-immigration message and has called for a halt to all further immigration except in specific group has developed a strong online following, attracting attention when one of its anti-Islamic videos was retweeted by US President Donald Simon Weaver, reader in media and communications at Brunel University in west London, said: "Britain First are a British far-right, neo-fascist party that was formed in 2011 by a former British National Party (BNP) member. "They propagate an anti-Muslin, Islamophobic ideology and make wide use of online communication."The BBC has approached Ivan Dabbs and Reform UK but neither wanted to year, party leader Nigel Farage told the BBC it would be vetting Reform UK hopefuls standing in May's local elections after controversial comments were made by a candidate for Bexhill and Battle during the 2024 general month Ron Firman, a Reform UK candidate for West Northamptonshire Council, was reminded of the code of conduct for the parish council he was on after offensive sexist and racist tweets on his old social media account was elected to the Hunsbury council's constitution includes a members' code of conduct which states it is intended to promote high standards of behaviour among councillors including an obligation to "treat others with respect". Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
