Labour politician sacked for claiming Boris Johnson’s hospital stay was a ‘publicity stunt’
Prime minister Boris Johnson. Picture: Peter Byrne/PA - Credit: PA
A Labour politician has been sacked and forced to apologise for 'crass and offensive comments' after Boris Johnson's stay in intensive care.
Julie Heselwood, a councillor and executive member at Leeds City Council, urged a Facebook post to tell people not to 'fall for it' after Johnson was taken to hospital with coronavirus.
Responding to a post by a local radio presenter, she wrote: 'It's a publicity stunt - they we're [sic] doing badly being criticised for their handling of this, next thing he's in hospital in ICU-a publicity stunt fir [sic] sympathy and to change the narrative. Don't fall for it'.
It prompted a backlash from those who did not agree with her stance, before she eventually removed the post.
One wrote: 'With a comment like that, you're not fit to be a councillor for any party!'
You may also want to watch:
Heselwood later wrote to the leader of the council to apologise for the remarks, writing: 'I am deeply sorry for my crass and offensive comments about Boris Johnson's hospital treatment.
'I was wrong, I should never have made that claim and I apologise unreservedly.
Most Read
- 1 Boris Johnson warned majority will be 'wiped out' over treatment towards north of England
- 2 Boris Johnson 'frantically repositioning' himself for Donald Trump to lose election
- 3 UKIP set to select 'Dr Gammons' as candidate for London mayoral election
- 4 James Cleverly mocked after telling people to 'look at how they're doing in Wales'
- 5 Piers Morgan must expose the government's Brexit betrayal
- 6 Minister says Dido Harding is working '19-hours a day' on Test and Trace
- 7 Third Tory MP who rejected extending free school meals is targeted with local protests
- 8 Second shop owner bans Tory MPs who voted against free school meals motion
- 9 Brexiteer Prue Leith quits Tory Party after government votes down motion to protect UK food standards
- 10 Piers Morgan calls Boris Johnson a 'blustering buffoon' in attack on PM's handling of Covid-19 pandemic
'I wish the prime minister a speedy recovery and my thoughts are with him and his family at what I know is a very difficult time for them.'
She remains a ward councillor but will no longer serve as the council's deputy executive member for learning, skills and employment.
A spokesperson for the Labour Party on the council said: 'Julie Heselwood fully accepts her post was wrong and has apologised unreservedly for it.'
Become a Supporter
The New European is proud of its journalism and we hope you are proud of it too. We believe our voice is important - both in representing the pro-EU perspective and also to help rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.
