Gay Labour councillor has best response as his Grindr profile is leaked online
Paul John O’Neill had a perfect response to his Grindr leak (Facebook/Paul John O’Neill)
North Heywood Labour councillor Paul John O’Neill has hit back after images and details from his Grindr profile were shared on social media alongside calls for him to quit.
Posts sharing the screenshots included comments that a “public figure should be more discrete with his personal life” and “another Labour councillor soon to be out”.
O’Neill responded on Facebook on 23 September, sharing an image of himself drinking a pint of Murphy’s and referencing the slogan “like the Murphy’s, I’m not bitter”.
In the post, O’Neill said: “It’s been brought to my attention that two people have decided to visit a gay men’s dating app I’m a member of, create an account for themselves, and then find my profile, screenshot it, and share it on social media, complete with some rather unpleasant comments.”
He added: “I am not remotely ashamed to have a social and dating life, and it obviously affects not a jot of my work as a proud ward councillor for the brilliant people of North Heywood.”
O’Neill’s response
O’Neill also wrote: “And for the record, I’m single. Worst thing that can happen is I might get a date or two out of this, right?”
He said he was “glad” his photos were recent, adding: “I’m glad that my photos were recent, as I’ve lost three stone since February.” O’Neill also said most of the photos were Manchester Pride in 2026.
In the same Facebook post, he shared details of his next ward surgery, saying it would be held at Recovery Republic, York Street, at 10.30am on 3 October.
Support after Grindr screenshots shared
O’Neill’s post prompted supportive comments from members of the public and fellow councillors, including Tom Besford, Kath Bromfield and Bev Place.
Cllr Tom Besford wrote: “Great and classy response! Standing in solidarity with you in the face of a growing tide of bile.”
Mylene Cunningham commented: “Shame people have nothing better to do with their time than to out an openly gay man. How embarrassing for them.”
The incident follows other recent cases where councillors have faced scrutiny over their private lives, including when a Reform UK councillor quit after his porn persona was uncovered in May 2026, saying there was “no shame” and that he was “proud to be a gay individual in this community”.
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