Labour councillor faces probe over anti-gay Twitter abuse
Labour councillor Alan Humphries (@droitwichlefty)
Labour councillor Alan Humphries is facing an investigation after it was revealed he sent a string of abusive anti-gay tweets.
Humphries sits on Droitwich Spa Town Council in Worcestershire, and is standing for election to Wychavon District Council next month.
The Sun revealed on Sunday (April 21) that the councillor had sent a string of abusive messages on Twitter.
Labour councillor hit out at Liberal Democrat ‘bum boys’
Posting under the name @DroitwichLefty in 2010, Humphries referred to then-Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg as “the fag” and described the Liberal Democrats as “the Tory’s bum boys.”
Humphries also directed abuse at footballers Peter Crouch and Theo Walcott, who he described as a “pair of whingeing poofs,” describing other sportsmen as “fairy,” “nancy boy” and “little fag.”
Labour councillor Alan Humphries (@droitwichlefty)
The Labour Party said it would investigate the revelations.
In a statement, a party spokesperson said: “The Labour Party takes any complaints about homophobic language extremely seriously, which are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures and any appropriate disciplinary action is taken.”
However, Humphries has indicated that he still plans to run for re-election despite the probe.
Alan Humphies: Today I champion LGBT+ rights
The 56-year-old candidate insisted he no longer held the views he had when he sent the messages nine years ago, when he was 47.
Humphries said: “Posts on my social media from nine years ago have been bought to my attention, which are absolutely appalling and fill me with disgust.
“This was before I was a member of the Labour Party. I was extremely ignorant and I did not understand how such language was promoting prejudice and how it would cause serious hurt and offence.”
He added: “Since becoming active in politics I have learnt about about the discrimination faced by so many people on the basis of their identity, including sexuality, gender, and who people love.
“I would like to make an unreserved, unequivocal apology from the bottom of my heart for having made such comments.”
—Labour councillor, Alan Humphries
“These posts do not reflect the person I am today. I do not hold those abhorrent views, and I wholeheartedly support and champion LGBT+ rights.
“I would like to make an unreserved, unequivocal apology from the bottom of my heart for having made such comments.”
Humphries has since made his Twitter account private.
Earlier this month, a Labour councillor quit the party, alleging officials ignored reports of homophobia.
