**Labour Suspends Councillor Over Controversial Tweets**
In an alarming political turn, the Labour Party has suspended one of its councillors, Ben Westwick, due to troubling social media posts he made over a decade ago. The posts were labeled as racist and supportive of the far-right views championed by activist Tommy Robinson. Westwick, who serves on the Basildon Council in Essex, has now found himself embroiled in controversy over past comments that have resurfaced in the current climate of political accountability.
The local Conservative party, specifically Reform UK, brought the issue to light, noting the offensive nature of Westwick’s old tweets. The party’s leader, Gavin Callaghan, swiftly acted upon discovering these alarming posts and decided to suspend Westwick, who had been elected to office in 2024. Callaghan stated, “I took the action against Westwick after I was made aware of social media posts made… before he was elected.” This response underscores the increasing scrutiny that politicians face regarding their online behavior, particularly concerning comments that can be interpreted as racist or harmful.
Westwick’s current status as an independent councillor representing Pitsea South East raises further questions about party affiliation and accountability in local governance. Following his suspension, he was contacted by the BBC for comments, reflecting the media’s interest and public concern regarding the implications of his past behaviors on his current position.
Furthermore, troubling discoveries from Westwick’s Twitter/X account highlight the severity of the allegations against him. His account, which has been inactive since 2014, featured multiple posts including explicit material and remarks that were deemed racist, including one that utilized a derogatory monkey emoji. Perhaps most concerning is a tweet from 2012 in which he openly supported Tommy Robinson’s political ambitions by urging followers to “make a difference.” This alignment with Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, poses significant challenges to Westwick’s credibility and relationship with the Labour Party.
Robinson is a polarizing figure known for his extreme nationalist views and has founded organizations such as the English Defence League (EDL). He recently completed a prison sentence for contempt of court, further compounding the controversy surrounding those who express support for him. Callaghan, addressing the situation, acknowledged, “Whilst I accept that Ben was a young man when he posted these comments and that he has changed his views on a number of issues, I do not believe it is right for him to represent the Labour Party on the council at this time.”
The suspension of Westwick has prompted Reform UK to demand his immediate resignation. They have cited his “numerous offensive, racist, and deeply inappropriate comments made across his social media accounts” as grounds for this demand. The gravity of the situation is evident, as having the whip removed from a politician often implies suspension from their political party and means they are no longer required to vote in line with party policies during council meetings.
Amidst this political fallout, it remains unclear what the long-term ramifications will be for Westwick and the Labour Party he temporarily represented. BBC journalists have reached out for further clarity regarding his party membership status.
As these events unfold, the Basildon Council is set for two upcoming by-elections. One election is for the Wickford Park ward following the passing of Independent councillor Dave Harrison, while the other will occur in the St Martins ward due to Maryam Yaqub’s recent resignation from the Labour Party. This political landscape in Essex continues to shift, challenging councillors to maintain accountability for their actions—both past and present—as they navigate the complexities of public service and party integrity.